thru

American  

[throo] / θru /

preposition

1. an informal, simplified spelling of through.

---

thru British  

/ θruː /

preposition

1. (adverb, adjective) a variant spelling of through

---

Usage

And is thru in the dictionary? Thru is not listed as a standard word in this dictionary, meaning that language users don’t view it as an accepted word and don’t use it regularly with a standard meaning. Instead, thru is an informal variant of through that is particularly common in the United States. An informal variant is a term used in informal situations but not recognized as acceptable by most language users. You wouldn’t use thru in formal or semiformal situations, but you might see it used in informal contexts or in the compound term drive-thru. Note: Just because a word isn’t considered a standard word in the dictionary doesn’t necessarily mean it’s “not a word.” Some people may use it, and if enough people start using it regularly, it may be added to the dictionary.

Example Sentences

“Trying to predict where rates will be in year 11 thru 20 is crystal ball watching,” Peter Boockvar, One Point BFG Wealth Partners tells Barron’s.

From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026

Her 15-year-old son held up signs outside, advertising “drive thru drinks.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

His daughter Sarah, who had recently graduated from college with a degree in agriculture, was picked to run it, though Newby’s disclosure forms described her previous job as “Ministry thru horses.”

From Salon • Oct. 31, 2025

Screenshots of text messages included in the lawsuit show that Madder described being forced to “dance thru the pain.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2025

There could be a whisper of Noise coming thru but there could also not be a whisper of Noise, what with the fire blazing and the wood popping and the white water below.

From "The Knife of Never Letting Go" by Patrick Ness