ENGLISH
REFERENCE

thoroughfare

n.
C1 Advanced US //ˈθɝoʊˌfɛɹ// UK //θˈʌɹəfˌeə// thor·ough·fare

n. a main road or street that many people use to travel through a city. It is usually a busy place where traffic moves quickly.

n. a main road or street that serves as a primary route for traffic through a city or town.


SIMPLE

The main thoroughfare is very busy during the morning rush hour.

CONTEXTUAL

The city plans to widen the main thoroughfare to accommodate the increasing number of cyclists and public transport.

COMPLEX

Historically, the narrow thoroughfare served as the primary artery for trade, connecting the port to the inland markets before the modern highway system was established.

Origin

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”).

© 2026 English Reference