# thorough

/ˈθɝoʊ/ (US) · /θˈʌɹɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/thorough
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. careful and detailed

adjective · CEFR B2

doing something very carefully and making sure you do not miss any details.

For teachers: painstaking and meticulous; ensuring that every detail is addressed or examined.

- The doctor gave him a thorough examination to find the cause of his pain.
- The researchers conducted a thorough review of the existing literature before proposing their new hypothesis to the board.

### 2. complete or absolute

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

complete in every way; used to emphasize how total a quality is.

For teachers: absolute or utter; used as an intensifier to indicate that a quality is complete.

- The party was a thorough success and everyone enjoyed themselves.
- The collapse of the negotiations was a thorough disappointment for the diplomats who had spent months preparing the draft.

## Examples

- The police performed a thorough search of the building.
- A thorough investigation into the cause of the accident revealed several minor mechanical failures.
- The researcher provided a thorough analysis of the data, ensuring that even the smallest statistical anomalies were accounted for in the final report.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.