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

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

From BBC

It also said it would be far more thorough in how it vetted content in future.

From BBC

An emergency fund of $20m should also be set up to provide "immediate and urgent" help to people affected by the disaster, and to carry out thorough health and environmental assessments, the petitioners said.

From BBC

A spokesman for Lancashire police said that a "full and thorough investigation" had found "no evidence that any criminal offences have taken place".

From BBC

"During a thorough due diligence process prior to completion of the purchase, the ownership group became aware of potentially incomplete financial reporting concerning historical transactions and other potential breaches of FA rules," Chelsea said.

From BBC

Related Words

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