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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

At Cushing, Okla.—the main U.S. oil-pricing hub—Kpler flies drones equipped with infrared sensors that in effect see through tank walls, estimating storage levels before the government releases its own market-moving data.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026

“Voters can see through candidates who fake it.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

"It cheapened the film for me," agrees Gemma Haynes, while another fan, Nastassja Loots, says it "looks fake and people can see through it".

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

Ives says that Cook will want to see through implementation of Apple’s artificial-intelligence strategy.

From Barron's • Dec. 18, 2025

If it could see through enchantments, maybe it could see through languages, too.

From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi

Related Words

• gauzy
• sheer
• translucent