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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

But there was certainly a concerted effort to attract the eye of younger shoppers with a fashion-forward approach to Christmas party staples like sequinned dresses, tasselled skirts and see-through lace tops.

From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026

An attendee at one black-tie wedding wore a white dress that was practically see-through.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 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

Alaric loosened the collar of his ghost shirt, which, despite being see-through like the rest of him, was clearly bedazzled.

From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega

The burka is a veil worn by some Muslim women that covers the face and body, often leaving a mesh screen to see through.

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026

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

From Slate ● Sep. 8, 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

People looked up, alarmed by a girl appearing out of nowhere, shouting, but I rushed past them, straining to see through my tears.

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows

Related Words

• gauzy
• sheer
• translucent