thorough

[thur-oh, thuhr-oh]

adjective

1. executed without negligence or omissions.

   a thorough search.

   Synonyms: total, unqualified, sheer, downright, exhaustive, in-depth
   Antonyms: superficial, partial

2. complete; perfect; utter.

   thorough enjoyment.

3. extremely attentive to accuracy and detail; painstaking: a thorough analysis.

   a thorough worker;

   a thorough analysis.

4. having full command or mastery of an art, talent, etc..

   a thorough actress.

5. extending or passing through.

adverb

1. Archaic.,  through.

noun

1. (initial capital letter),  the administrative policies of the Earl of Stafford and Archbishop Laud during the reign of Charles I: so called because they were uncompromisingly carried out.

thorough

¹

/ ˈθʌrə /

adjective

1. carried out completely and carefully

   a thorough search

2. (prenominal) utter

   a thorough bore

3. painstakingly careful

   my work is thorough

Thorough

²

/ ˈθʌrə /

noun

1. thoroughgoing policy, as adopted in England by Strafford and Laud during the reign of Charles I

Other Word Forms

• thoroughly adverb
• thoroughness noun
• quasi-thorough adjective
• quasi-thoroughly adverb
• superthorough adjective
• superthoroughly adverb
• unthorough adjective
• unthoroughly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of thorough¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English (preposition and adverb); Old English thuruh, variant of thurh through

Word History and Origins

Origin of thorough¹

Old English thurh; related to Old Frisian thruch, Old Saxon thuru, Old High German duruh; see _through

Example Sentences

Meshkati’s main concern is that the investigation into this fire may not end up being as thorough and stringent as it could be, especially if the U.S.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Raoul has been unbelievably thorough,” says narrator Lewis via Zoom from his home in London, where he regularly rides his bike past one of Orwell’s former residences.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

On Tuesday, California State Sen. Lena Gonzalez issued a public statement calling for a thorough investigation by the school district.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

On Tuesday, acting on “new investigative information,” officers returned to the home on 14th Street and did a more thorough search, discovering the hidden entry to the attic, police said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Amazon said it had "made the difficult decision" after a "thorough evaluation of business operations and the very substantial growth opportunities in online delivery."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• accurate 
• careful 
• complete 
• comprehensive 
• detailed 
• exhaustive 
• full 
• intensive 
• meticulous 
• painstaking 
• profound