adj
thorough
THUH-ruh
adj
1
Done with great care and attention, missing no detail.
"The inspector gave the building a thorough examination before approving it."
"She did a thorough review of the contract before signing."
2
Complete or absolute in degree.
"He felt a thorough sense of relief once the exam was over."
How to Use Thorough
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCareful and complete, leaving nothing out.
Common mistake
Don't confuse thorough with through or threw — they sound alike but are unrelated in modern use.
Easily confused with
through →
threw
Common pairings
thorough investigation
thorough review
thorough understanding
Word Forms
thorougher comparative, more thorough comparative, thoroughs plural, thoroughest superlative, most thorough superlative
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The inspector gave the building a _____ examination before approving it.
Etymology
A stressed variant of "through," from Old English þuruh — the two words share the same root but split apart in meaning over time.