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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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

see-through see through

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

The Red Sox’s jersey situation played out much quicker than the MLB’s see-through pants controversy two years ago.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 22, 2026

KeyBanc analyst Ashley Owens wrote in a Thursday noet that some Reddit reviews of a Valentine’s edition line of pants with a “scattered heart” pattern indicate that the fabric becomes see-through when bending and squatting.

From MarketWatch ● Feb. 12, 2026

“Blancaflor’s father was a strange king whose fear of the outside world turned him into an ogre. He had see-through skin and a voice like a serpent.”

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

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

From Slate ● Sep. 8, 2026

Found only in Ecuador's Andes Mountains, its spiny armour helps protect it from eagle-eyed predators that can see through its disguise.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 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

“The older people can usually see through the baloney pretty quick, but the young people, not so much,” James said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026

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

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• gauzy
• sheer
• translucent