thorough
adjective
executed without negligence or omissions.
thorough
American
[thur-oh, thuhr-oh]
/ ˈθɜr oʊ, ˈθʌr oʊ /
adjective
-
executed without negligence or omissions.
a thorough search.
- Synonyms:
- total, unqualified, sheer, downright, exhaustive, in-depth
- Antonyms:
- superficial, partial
-
thorough enjoyment.
-
extremely attentive to accuracy and detail; painstaking: a thorough analysis.
a thorough worker;
a thorough analysis.
-
having full command or mastery of an art, talent, etc..
a thorough actress.
-
extending or passing through.
adverb
noun
thorough
1
British
/ ˈθʌrə /
adjective
-
carried out completely and carefully
a thorough search
-
(prenominal) utter
a thorough bore
-
painstakingly careful
my work is thorough
Thorough
2
British
/ ˈθʌrə /
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of thorough
First recorded before 900; Middle English (preposition and adverb); Old English thuruh, variant of thurh through
Explanation
Thorough describes something that is painstakingly complete, like a thorough search for your missing keys in which you look for them in coat pockets, under the table, in the refrigerator — in every single place you can think of. Thorough rhymes with "burrow": "THUR-oh." It looks a lot like through but remember thorough is an adjective, so you might use it to describe a thorough investigation or a thorough review. In contrast through is used most often as a preposition — you might look through every drawer, for example, in a search — or as an adverb — you might see a hole in your pocket where coins fall through.
Vocabulary lists containing thorough
"Earth and Space"
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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
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Everything, Everything
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
But he left open the possibility of a closure if — after a more thorough investigation by the board into the plan — the decision was again made.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
Lockhart said it was "extremely important" that the police "are given the time and space necessary to carry out a full and thorough investigation".
From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026
Sjöblom said that while there are ways to speed the process, thorough regulation of ammunition plants should be expected in a democracy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
"Even relatively small exporters and shipments are subject to thorough review and scrutiny on both sides of the globe, and any diverted products would have no service, support, or updates."
From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026
Having a visitor is a big deal because they have to agree to a medical background check and a thorough physical.
From "Everything, Everything" by Nicola Yoon
"Thorough culling" to reduce the number of bears is the only effective way to reduce the risk for local people, researcher Ohnishi said.
From Barron's ● Nov. 8, 2025
Thorough cooking of any freshwater fish that could potentially be infected can prevent illness, according to the U.S.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 4, 2025
Thorough clinical trials have already proven benefits to heart health - and nausea is a known side-effect - but other findings will need to go through similar rigorous testing.
From BBC ● Jan. 20, 2025
Thorough background checks have long been a norm used by incoming presidents when choosing their Cabinet.
From Salon ● Nov. 25, 2024
Thorough railroader he was at that, a man of large vision and seeking every opportunity for the advancement of the property that he headed.
From The Story of the Rome, Watertown, and Ogdensburg RailRoad by Edward Hungerford
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
