though

1 of 2

conjunction

1
: in spite of the fact that : while
though they know the war is lost, they continue to fightBruce Bliven †1977
2
: in spite of the possibility that : even if
though I may fail, I will try

though

2 of 2

adverb

: however, nevertheless
It's hard work. I enjoy it though

Example Sentences

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
The bigger through-line of the evening, though, was a nearly overwhelming display of gratitude. Travis M. Andrews, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2023 Ironically, though, that slowdown in growth could help the Fed, which has had only limited success in trying to cool the economy through its rate hikes. Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2023 The restaurants and bars are the real draw, though. Sam Dangremond, Town & Country, 20 Mar. 2023 Thankfully, though, the northern end of the block-long proposal steps down to 14 stories. John King, San Francisco Chronicle, 20 Mar. 2023 The economic recovery remains exceedingly delicate, though, as this month’s bank failures illustrated. Mike Rogoway | Mrogoway@oregonian.com, oregonlive, 19 Mar. 2023 There are still some drawbacks to these drugs, though. Gagandeep Brar, Verywell Health, 19 Mar. 2023 At its best, though, Friday’s show complicated the emotional unbottling involved in the performance of a great pop song. Mikael Wood, Anchorage Daily News, 19 Mar. 2023 The imperative to remember is not simply about laying blame, though. Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'though.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of though was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near though

Cite this Entry

“Though.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/though. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

though

1 of 2 conjunction
: 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

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