Word
thoroughfare
Phoneticsthor·ough·fare, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈθɝoʊˌfɛɹ/
UK/θˈʌɹəfˌeə/
Definitions
01a main road
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a main road or street that connects two places and is open for everyone to use.
n. a public road or highway that is open at both ends, typically serving as a primary artery for transit between locations.
“The city's main thoroughfare was crowded with shoppers and cars all afternoon.”
“The urban planners decided to pedestrianize the historic thoroughfare, redirecting heavy commercial traffic to the newly constructed ring road.”
Usage
Often used in urban planning or formal descriptions of city geography.
Antonyms
02a way through
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a path or passage that lets you go through an area rather than stopping there.
n. a passage or way through from one place to another; the right or ability to pass through a space.
Español:pasaje
“This narrow alley is the only thoroughfare between the two busy squares.”
“The property owner argued that the path had never been a public thoroughfare, despite decades of local residents using it as a shortcut.”
Usage
Can be used both for physical paths and the legal right of passage.
Antonyms
03waterway
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Technical
n. a wide channel of water that ships use to travel through.
n. an unobstructed waterway, such as a channel or strait, that allows for the passage of maritime vessels.
Español:canal
“The strait serves as a vital thoroughfare for international shipping containers.”
“Environmental regulations were tightened to protect the marine life inhabiting the busy thoroughfare leading into the industrial port.”
Usage
Primarily used in maritime or geographical contexts.
Real-World Examples
“The statue had been broken into two main pieces and reused, face down, as paving stones in the ancient thoroughfare.” “On Wednesday, just hours before the eclipse, officials reported traffic jams on the major thoroughfares out of Madrid and Barcelona.” Etymology
From Middle English thurghfare, corresponding to thorough- (“through”) + fare. Compare Old English þurhfaran (“to go through, go over, traverse, pierce, pass through, pass beyond, transcend, penetrate”). Compare also Old English þurhfær (“inner secret place”), German Durchfahrt (“passage through, thoroughfare”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/thoroughfare
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0