thoroughness

American  

[thur-oh-ngis, thuhr-] / ˈθɜr oʊ ŋɪs, ˈθʌr- /

noun

1. the quality of being painstakingly and comprehensively executed, without errors or omissions; the act or practice of executing tasks in this way.

   My old cookbook remains unmatched in the clarity and thoroughness of its explanations.

   They were greatly impressed by the FBI's speed and thoroughness.

2. completeness or perfection.

   I had my doubts about the thoroughness of his knowledge of the subject.

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Other Word Forms

• superthoroughness
  noun
• unthoroughness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of thoroughness

thorough ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Explanation

When you pay careful attention to doing a task exactly right, that's thoroughness. Your thoroughness in cleaning the kitchen means that no one would ever guess you spilled brownie batter all over the floor. Thoroughness is seeing something through with meticulous care — the word's Old English root means "from end to end." The thoroughness of your research meant that you really knew what you were getting into when you adopted a puppy. A newspaper fact-checker's thoroughness means she'll get all the important details right, and printed articles won't include mistakes. And a detective's thoroughness might result in the return of your stolen laptop.

Example Sentences

Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of negotiations in Berlin, Michael Kellner, a senior lawmaker from the Greens, said that negotiators would continue their talks this week and next, adding: "Thoroughness comes before speed."

From Reuters • Nov. 16, 2021

Thoroughness, rather than speed, must be the objective of the investigation, regardless of its results.

From Washington Times • May 23, 2018

Thoroughness is favoured over accessibility, which is unsurprising given that the amount of scientific evidence on the impacts of climate change has doubled since the previous report in 2007.

From Forbes • Apr. 3, 2014

Thoroughness, since they embraced every conceivable means that would enhance their prospect of victory, her military leaders, scientists and statesmen were all busy.

From Kelly Miller's History of the World War for Human Rights by Miller, Kelly

Thoroughness seems the word to express the character of Mrs. Croly.

From Memories of Jane Cunningham Croly, "Jenny June" by Various