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• see-through
  see-through

  adjective

  Also see-thru transparent.
• see through
  see through

  verb

  (tr) to help out in time of need or trouble

see-through

American  

[see-throo] / ˈsiˌθru /

adjective

1. Also see-thru transparent.

   a see-through blouse.

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noun

1. a degree of or variation in transparency.

2. a see-through item of clothing.

3. look-through.

see through British  

verb

1. (tr) to help out in time of need or trouble

   I know you're short of money, but I'll see you through

2. (tr, adverb) to remain with until the end or completion

   let's see the job through

3. (intr, preposition) to perceive the true nature of

   I can see through your evasion

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adjective

1. partly or wholly transparent or translucent, esp (of clothes) in a titillating way

   a see-through nightie

see through Idioms  

1. . Understand the true character or nature of someone or something, as in We saw through his superficial charm: he was obviously a liar . [c. 1400]

2. Also, see out . Remain with an undertaking to the end; also, provide steadfast support to. For example, I saw the reorganization through and then I left the company , or We'll see out the year in Florida and then decide if the move is permanent , or We'll see you through medical school but then you're on your own .

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Etymology

Origin of see-through

First recorded in 1940–45; adj., noun use of verb phrase see through

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

see-through see through

Or from the time it put Baumgartner, in character as Kevin Malone, inside a see-through box in Flatiron Plaza and livestreamed his “workday” to thousands of both in-person and virtual observers.

From Slate ● Oct. 1, 2026

In January, the company also faced backlash over see-through issues in its Get Low line of workout gear.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 4, 2026

No more see-through clothing to promote government transparency.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 25, 2026

The following year, Ju Ae wore a partially see-through blouse - revealing her arms - to the completion ceremony for a residential area of the capital, Pyongyang.

From BBC ● May 5, 2026

Alaric loosened the collar of his ghost shirt, which, despite being see-through like the rest of him, was clearly bedazzled.

From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega

Along the way, she reveals the various psychological and technological tactics these scammers use, hopefully arming potential victims with information to help them see through any ruses.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2026

The burka is a veil worn by some Muslim women that covers the face and body, often leaving a mesh screen to see through.

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026

The protected area is enormous, encompassing everything we could see through our binoculars from there.

From Slate ● Sep. 8, 2026

Sentinel-1 is especially valuable for monitoring remote glaciers because its radar instruments can collect observations both day and night and can see through cloud cover.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 25, 2026

She could see through his gruffness now, or thought she could.

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood

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Related Words

• gauzy
• sheer
• translucent

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