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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

Actress and singer Jane Birkin later immortalized the see-through crochet dress.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

Xreal’s Google-powered Aura glasses do basically what a VR headset used to do, but in see-through glasses that weigh a sixth as much.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 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

Just lets me stand there and watch the dragonflies flit around with their see-through wings.

From "King and the Dragonflies" by Kacen Callender

We see through her eyes an assistant dabbing moisturizer on her hand, art installers asking where she wants a large sculpture, a man cleaning her pool who greets her.

From Salon ● Jul. 2, 2026

They will also be able to watch videos, browse the web, play AR games and record what they see through the glasses.

From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026

The board argued that the bank needed fresh leadership with skills more closely aligned with new challenges and a greater openness to dialogue to see through the transformative integration of Mediobanca.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 16, 2026

Just before closing Sunday night’s performance, Karol imparted a few words of reflection on her history-making headlining set — one that took 27 years for the festival to see through.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 13, 2026

He might see through the ruse and refuse to leave the house.

From "Z for Zachariah" by Robert C. O’Brien

Related Words

• gauzy
• sheer
• translucent