Etymology : Middle English thorow, from Old English thurh, thuruh, preposition and adverb
Pronunciation : th&r-(")O,
sometimes
Function : preposition
Date : before 12th century
1. comprehensive; complete, finished. thorough\thor"ough\ , prep. [see:
through.] through. [obs.] shak.thorough \thor"ough\, a.
2. passing through; as, thorough lights in a house. [obs.].
3. passing through or to the end; hence, complete; perfect; as, a thorough reformation; thorough work; a thorough translator; a thorough poet.thorough \thor"ough\, adv.
4. thoroughly. [obs. or colloq.].
5. through. [obs.]thorough \thor"ough\, n. a furrow between two ridges, to drain off the surface water. [prov. eng.]thorough adj.
6. painstakingly careful and accurate; "our accountant is thorough"; "thorough research".
7. very thorough; exhaustively complete; "an exhaustive study"; "made a thorough search"; "thoroughgoing research" [syn: exhaustive, thoroughgoing].
8. Through.
9. Passing through; as, thorough lights in a house.
10. Passing through or to the end; hence, complete; perfect; as, a thorough reformation; thorough work; a thorough translator; a thorough poet.
11. Thoroughly.
12. A furrow between two ridges, to drain off the surface water. painstakingly careful and accurate; "our accountant is thorough"; "thorough research".
13. 1. A thorough action or activity is one that is done very carefully and in a detailed way so that nothing is forgotten. We are making a thorough investigation How thorough is the assessment? + thoroughly thor·ough·ly Food that is being offered hot must be reheated thoroughly. + thoroughness thor·ough·ness The thoroughness of the evaluation process we went through was impressive.
14. Someone who is thorough is always very careful in their work, so that nothing is forgotten. Martin would be a good judge, I thought. He was calm and thorough + thoroughness thor·ough·ness His thoroughness and attention to detail is legendary.
15. emphasis Thorough is used to emphasize the great degree or extent of something. We regard the band as a thorough shambles. = complete + thoroughly thor·ough·ly I thoroughly enjoy your programme.