though

1 of 2

conjunction

ˈt͟hō 

1

: in spite of the fact that : while

though they know the war is lost, they continue to fight

—Bruce Bliven †1977

2

: in spite of the possibility that : even if

though I may fail, I will try

though

2 of 2

adverb

ˈt͟hō 

: however, nevertheless

It's hard work. I enjoy it though

Synonyms

Conjunction

• albeit
• although
• altho
• as
• howbeit
• much as
• notwithstanding
• when
• whereas
• while
• whilst [chiefly British]

Adverb

• even so
• howbeit
• however
• nevertheless
• nonetheless
• notwithstanding
• still
• still and all
• withal
• yet

Examples of though in a Sentence

Conjunction

Though it was raining, we went hiking.

though it has no well-known actors in it, the movie has become the sleeper hit of the summer

Adverb

Even as late as 1492, all of North America, sub-Saharan Africa, Australia, New Guinea, and the Pacific islands, and most of Central and South America didn't have states and instead operated under simpler forms of societal organization (chiefdoms, tribes, and bands). Today, though, the whole world map is divided into states. —Jared M. Diamond, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 21, 2008

I'd have thought the guy'd remember me and my car …  . He didn't act like it though … —Dagoberto Gilb, The Magic of Blood, 1993

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

In his rematch against the Dodgers, though, the 34-year-old looked like his former All-Star self. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024

Mostly, though, Thank You, Goodnight is content to simply sit back and admire Jon. —Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Apr. 2024

An expansion of the battlefield across Europe isn’t the only concern, though. —Lars Paulsson, Fortune Europe, 24 Apr. 2024

Now, though, the Biden administration is requiring more financial professionals to adhere to a higher standard when providing financial advice, a move experts are calling a win for the average retirement saver. —Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2024

In Oakes’s wide-eyed inquiry, though, the specific tangle of pressures and pathology that bind food, weight, and gender is not a central concern. —Molly Fischer, The New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2024

The two did agree on something, though—that an inflection point will arrive when AI systems begin operating without human control. —Sanya Mansoor, TIME, 24 Apr. 2024

Lately, though, there is blessed evidence that the reign of the middle part may finally be over. —Thessaly La Force, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2024

The same medication that saves the organ also can damage it long-term, though, and, by suppressing the immune system, increases the patient's risk for infection and some cancers. —Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Conjunction and Adverb

Middle English, adverb & conjunction, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse thō nevertheless; akin to Old English thēah nevertheless, Old High German doh

First Known Use

Conjunction

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing though

• as though
• even though
• what though

Kids Definition

though

1 of 2 conjunction

(ˈ)t͟hō 

: in spite of the fact or possibility that

though it was raining, we went hiking

though

2 of 2 adverb

: however entry 2 sense 2, nevertheless

not for long, though