though
[th oh]
- (used in introducing a subordinate clause, which is often marked by ellipsis) notwithstanding that; in spite of the fact that; although: Though he tried very hard, he failed the course.
- even if; granting that (often preceded by even).
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- for all that; however.
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- as though, as if: It seems as though the place is deserted.
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Origin of though
1150–1200; Middle English thoh < Old Norse thō (earlier *thauh); replacing Old English thēah; cognate with German doch, Gothic thauh
Usage note
Among some conservatives there is a traditional objection to the use of though in place of although as a conjunction. However, the latter (earlier all though ) was originally an emphatic form of the former, and there is nothing in contemporary English usage to justify such a distinction.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
nevertheless, still, yet, when, nonetheless, notwithstanding, howbeit, withal, albeit, although, but, despite, granted, if, whereas, allowingExamples from the Web for though
Contemporary Examples
None of these, though, has inspired quite the same backlash as fluoride.
We won't find out this season, though it comes up occasionally.
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January 8, 2015
When it comes to Terrence Howard though, I am not your target.
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January 8, 2015
Speculation raged that Duke agreed not to run as part of the deal, though it was never proven.
This is especially striking, though hardly surprising, in the case of Priebus, Mr. Outreach.
Historical Examples
He has clothed the Graces, though the Graces never clothed him.
PhilotheaLydia Maria Child
Though younger than myself, she reciprocated the love she had inspired.
PhilotheaLydia Maria Child
"There's enough like that kind, though," interrupted Uncle Peter.
The SpendersHarry Leon Wilson
Too bad, though—you certainly need a wife to take the conceit out of you.
The SpendersHarry Leon Wilson
Our hero, though strong-armed, had hard work to keep up with him.
Brave and BoldHoratio Alger
though
- (sometimes preceded by even) despite the fact thatthough he tries hard, he always fails; poor though she is, her life is happy
- as though as ifhe looked as though he'd seen a ghost
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- nevertheless; howeverhe can't dance: he sings well, though
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Word Origin
Old English theah; related to Old Frisian thāch, Old Saxon, Old High German thōh, Old Norse thō
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for though
c.1200, from Old English þeah, and in part from Old Norse þo "though," both from Proto-Germanic *thaukh (cf. Gothic þauh, Old Frisian thach, Middle Dutch, Dutch doch, Old High German doh, German doch), from PIE demonstrative pronoun *to- (see that). The evolution of the terminal sound did not follow laugh, tough, etc., though a tendency to end the word in "f" existed c.1300-1750 and persists in dialects.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with though
though
see as if (though).
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.