thorough

[thur-oh, thuhr-oh]

adjective

1. executed without negligence or omissions.

   a thorough search.

   Synonyms: total, unqualified, sheer, downright, exhaustive, in-depth
   Antonyms: superficial, partial

2. complete; perfect; utter.

   thorough enjoyment.

3. extremely attentive to accuracy and detail; painstaking: a thorough analysis.

   a thorough worker;

   a thorough analysis.

4. having full command or mastery of an art, talent, etc..

   a thorough actress.

5. extending or passing through.

adverb

1. Archaic.,  through.

noun

1. (initial capital letter),  the administrative policies of the Earl of Stafford and Archbishop Laud during the reign of Charles I: so called because they were uncompromisingly carried out.

thorough

¹

/ ˈθʌrə /

adjective

1. carried out completely and carefully

   a thorough search

2. (prenominal) utter

   a thorough bore

3. painstakingly careful

   my work is thorough

Thorough

²

/ ˈθʌrə /

noun

1. thoroughgoing policy, as adopted in England by Strafford and Laud during the reign of Charles I

Other Word Forms

• thoroughly adverb
• thoroughness noun
• quasi-thorough adjective
• quasi-thoroughly adverb
• superthorough adjective
• superthoroughly adverb
• unthorough adjective
• unthoroughly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of thorough¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English (preposition and adverb); Old English thuruh, variant of thurh through

Word History and Origins

Origin of thorough¹

Old English thurh; related to Old Frisian thruch, Old Saxon thuru, Old High German duruh; see _through

Example Sentences

"The FA is committed to ensuring that the integrity of football is maintained, and full and thorough investigations will always be conducted into serious allegations of rule breaches."

From BBC

Lord Mann, Sobel and Bool have called for "a thorough investigation into the conduct of all advisers and schemes involved" and "a fair and timely resolution to the decade-long tax dispute".

From BBC

The United Nations' human rights office has called for "prompt, thorough, and transparent investigations" on allegations of human rights violations in Jakarta's handling of the protests.

From BBC

Victoria Police say a thorough risk assessment was conducted before 10 officers had travelled to his property, but specialist police support had not been requested.

From BBC

“The military authorities are conducting a thorough investigation,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accurate 
• careful 
• complete 
• comprehensive 
• detailed 
• exhaustive 
• full 
• intensive 
• meticulous 
• painstaking 
• profound