# though

/ˈðoʊ/ (US) · /ðˈəʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/though
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. despite the fact that

conjunction · CEFR B1

used to connect two ideas when the second one makes the first one surprising.

For teachers: introduces a subordinate clause of concession, indicating that the following fact does not prevent the main statement from being true.

- Though it was very cold outside, she decided to go for a run.
- Though the initial results were promising, the research team cautioned against drawing any definitive conclusions before the final phase of testing was complete.

### 2. however

adverb · CEFR B1 · Informal

used at the end of a sentence to show that what you just said contrasts with something else.

For teachers: functions as a conjunctive adverb to indicate a contrast with a previous statement; typically placed at the end of a clause in spoken English.

- The food was expensive. It was delicious, though.
- The commute is significantly longer than I expected; the salary and benefits package makes the position worth considering, though.

Usage: In spoken English, this adverb almost always appears at the very end of the sentence.

### 3. emphasis

adverb · CEFR C1 · Informal

used in questions or statements to add emphasis or show you are surprised.

For teachers: used as an intensifier in interrogative or exclamatory contexts to express surprise or to seek confirmation.

- How did you manage to finish all that work so quickly, though?
- It is a remarkable achievement by any standard, but how will they sustain such growth in the long term, though?

## Examples

- The food was expensive. It was delicious, though.
- The hike was much longer than we expected; we reached the summit before sunset, though.
- The initial results of the clinical trial were somewhat inconclusive; the researchers remained optimistic about the long-term efficacy of the treatment, though.

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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.