though

conjunction \ ˈt͟hō \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

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

See though defined for English-language learners

See though defined for kids

Examples of though in a Sentence

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

Origin and Etymology of though

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

though Synonyms

Synonyms

albeit, although (also altho), as, howbeit, much as, notwithstanding, when, whereas, while;

Related Words

but, if;

though

adverb \ ˈt͟hō \

: however, nevertheless

It's hard work. I enjoy it though

See though defined for English-language learners

Examples of though in a Sentence

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 of though from the Web

The next batter, though, Nick Brammer lined a shot down the first base line.

— randy mcroberts, The Aegis, "Rising Sun scores two in seventh for 2-0 baseball win over Patterson Mill," 19 Apr. 2018
In a handful of states like Illinois, though, an exception is made for people with medical conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease.

— dahleen glanton, chicagotribune.com, "America's problems with race start (but don't end) at your Starbucks bathroom," 19 Apr. 2018
As Wealthfront discovered, though, straying from its roots carries risks.

— anne tergesen, WSJ, "Robo Adviser Wealthfront Cuts a Fee to Appease Angry Investors," 19 Apr. 2018
Great Wolf Lodge, though, is stepping things up a notch.

— amy schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "I got to see the inside of the new Great Wolf Lodge, and it's going to be awesome!," 19 Apr. 2018
That stat was skewed, though, by King Phillip’s 25-0 win over Canton in the season opener.

— katherine fominykh, BostonGlobe.com, "Marshfield’s Brianna Melchionda brings high heat for Rams," 19 Apr. 2018
People found other ways to strike back at her, though.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Professor calls Barbara Bush an 'amazing racist,' says 'I can never be fired'," 19 Apr. 2018
Corning picked up four new players over the winter, though, and has made a go of it in pursuit of the school’s eighth straight conference title.

— rick armstrong, Aurora Beacon-News, "Double trouble: Waubonsee ace Nicole Krupp finds added role as home run hitter," 19 Apr. 2018
Another group raft ride is River Canyon Run, which sends riders careening though bending curves before splashing into the water, which will be regulated and kept at a constant 84 degrees, to match the water park temperature.

— yadira sanchez olson, Lake County News-Sun, "Construction nears the home stretch at Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee," 18 Apr. 2018

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