(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).
adverb
for all that; however.
Idioms
as though, as if: It seems as though the place is deserted.
Origin of though
1150–1200;Middle Englishthoh < Old Norsethō (earlier *thauh); replacing Old Englishthēah; cognate with Germandoch,Gothicthauh
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.
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.
