thorough

thor·ough | \ ˈthər-(ˌ)ō

How to pronounce thorough (audio)

, sometimes ˈthȯr-; ˈthə-(ˌ)rō \

Definition of thorough

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : carried through to completion : exhaustive a thorough search

2a : marked by full detail a thorough description

b : careful about detail : painstaking a thorough scholar

c : complete in all respects thorough pleasure

d : having full mastery (as of an art) a thorough musician

thorough

Definition of thorough (Entry 2 of 3)

archaic

thorough

Definition of thorough (Entry 3 of 3)

archaic

Other Words from thorough Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about thorough

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Examples of thorough in a Sentence

Adjective … one realized that it was the restaurant's thorough and even comic Frenchness that had made it so entirely New York. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2004 Bruce tells me to squat down and Koani sidles up, ears flattened, tail tucked away, and gives my face a thorough licking. — Nicholas Evans, Daily Telegraph, 26 Sept. 1998 The job was uncharacteristically thorough for a Russian contract killing—three different types of bullets riddled Mikho's body. — New Republic, 15 Dec. 1997 a thorough understanding of the rules and regulations The investigator will have to be thorough.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Police, however, said there was no evidence that Quoirin was kidnapped and insisted their probe was thorough. — Reuters, CNN, "Irish teen's death ruled 'misadventure' by Malaysian court," 4 Jan. 2021 Legislators and others in the debates over gambling praised the study group for being thorough. — Mike Cason | Mcason@al.com, al, "Legislators face decisions on lottery, casinos after Alabama gambling report," 2 Jan. 2021 The changes that have been made to help prevent the spread of the virus at the car wash are thorough, and D’Eri said many of them should be continued beyond the pandemic. — Scott Luxor, sun-sentinel.com, "Employing autistic staff, Rising Tide Car Wash plans third location," 30 Dec. 2020 This last course from the bundle is extremely thorough. — Ellen Mcalpine, CNN Underscored, "This $35 online piano course is surprisingly in-depth," 21 Dec. 2020 The plan was thorough, encompassing all three phases of the roster. — Brad Biggs, chicagotribune.com, "Column: It took until Week 14, but the Chicago Bears finally won the way they envisioned in 2020," 13 Dec. 2020 And the iconic bears were incredibly thorough, first rolling around on the ground in the fresh feces, then using their paws to rub it into every patch of fur to make sure everything is entirely covered. — Theresa Machemer, Smithsonian Magazine, "In Winter, Pandas Love to Roll in Horse Poop," 9 Dec. 2020 His scouting evaluation was just going to be more thorough. — Jon Blau, The Indianapolis Star, "IU football's Micah McFadden is the exact under-the-radar talent Hoosiers need," 21 Nov. 2020 The compartmentalization of Free Joseon is so thorough that, in an odd way, its structure reminded me of the opacity of the North Korean system. — Suki Kim, The New Yorker, "The Underground Movement Trying to Topple the North Korean Regime," 16 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'thorough.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

12 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Thorough.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thorough. Accessed 19 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for thorough

thorough

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of thorough

: including every possible part or detail

: careful about doing something in an accurate and exact way

chiefly British : complete or absolute

See the full definition for thorough in the English Language Learners Dictionary

thorough

thor·ough | \ ˈthər-ō

\

Kids Definition of thorough

1 : being such to the fullest degree : complete a thorough search

2 : careful about little things a thorough worker

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