thorough

adjective

thor·ough | \ ˈthər-(ˌ)ō

, 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

preposition

Definition of thorough (Entry 2 of 3)

archaic

: through

thorough

adverb

Definition of thorough (Entry 3 of 3)

archaic

: through

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

Boyfriends have been less thorough than this waxer. — Lara Naaman, Glamour, "What Is a Brazilian Wax Like? Here's What to Expect (in Excruciating Detail)," 27 Mar. 2019 Read more: Michael Joyce, a spokesman for the Republican National Committee, said no one believes Stabenow did a thorough review of Kavanaugh's lengthy judicial record before announcing her opposition along with other Democrats. — Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, "Why Mich. senators won't confirm Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh," 13 July 2018 Questions lingered, however, whether the required training was sufficient and whether airlines like Ethiopian had access to simulators to give pilots thorough experience handling the software. — Elias Meseret, The Seattle Times, "Ethiopian Airlines says pilots got appropriate training," 25 Mar. 2019 But even with the thorough dragging Kylie received on Twitter, Jeffree's comments were probably the most brutal of all. — Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "Every Time Jeffree Star Has Publicly Feuded With the Kardashian/Jenner Family," 18 Mar. 2019 The cleanser, which counts sulfur, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid as key ingredients, has a creamy consistency that lathers into a soft foam to offer a thorough cleanse. — Karina Hoshikawa, Allure, "Exclusive: M-61 Is Launching a Cleanser and Moisturizer for Adult Acne," 11 Mar. 2019 TrashMe is designed to make that process seamless and thorough. — Nick Statt, The Verge, "The first 11 apps to install on your new Mac," 27 Dec. 2018 For a thorough wellness immersion, COMO Shambhala Estate is one of the earth's most exquisite locations, with truly immersive Ayurvedic and cleanse-focused regimens, acres of mossy forest paths, and its own holy water spring. — Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, "Finding the Bali You Came For," 16 Nov. 2018 The school conducted a thorough review of the lawsuit’s allegations and the coach, in his 34th season at Holy Cross this year, was reinstated to his position in January 2014. — Doug Feinberg, The Seattle Times, "Princeton’s Alarie scores 45, sets Ivy single-game record," 4 Feb. 2019

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.