Word
throughout
Phoneticsthrough·out, stress on the second syllable
US/θɹuˈaʊt/
UK/θɹuːˈaʊt/
Adverb of time
Definitions
01every part of a place
B1 · Intermediate
prep. in every part of a place.
prep. in or to every part of a specific area or object.
“The virus spread throughout the country within just a few weeks.”
“The scent of pine needles was noticeable throughout the house, lingering long after the holiday decorations had been removed.”
Usage
Always followed by a noun phrase indicating the location.
02the whole time
B1 · Intermediate
prep. during the entire period of time.
prep. continuously or repeatedly during the entire duration of an event or period.
“He remained calm throughout the long and difficult interview.”
“Throughout the nineteenth century, the city underwent a series of radical urban transformations that redefined its social geography.”
Usage
Followed by a noun phrase indicating a time period or event.
Synonyms
03everywhere or the whole time
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adv. in every part or during the whole time, without naming the place or time again.
adv. in every part or during the whole period; used as an adverbial modifier often at the end of a clause.
“The house was painted white throughout.”
“The film was quite boring, but the music was excellent throughout.”
Usage
Often placed at the end of a sentence or after the noun it modifies.
Teaching tip
This adverbial use is slightly more formal than the prepositional use.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “throughout” in context.
Verb
01. continue throughout the year
“The construction work will continue throughout the year until the bridge is finished.”
verb + prep + noun
02. remain throughout the day
“The museum staff remain throughout the day to answer any questions from visitors.”
verb + prep + noun
03. stay throughout the performance
“We were so tired that we couldn't stay throughout the performance.”
verb + prep + noun
04. travel throughout the country
“They decided to travel throughout the country during their summer vacation.”
verb + prep + noun
Preposition
05. throughout the entire world
“The news of the discovery spread quickly throughout the entire world.”
prep + adj + noun
06. throughout the long winter
“The animals stayed in their burrows throughout the long winter.”
prep + adj + noun
07. throughout the whole process
“She was very helpful and patient throughout the whole process of buying a house.”
prep + adj + noun
Etymology
From Old English þurh ūt, equivalent to through + out. Compare German durchaus (“all the way, fully, absolutely”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
PHRASAL VERB
PREPOSITION
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/throughout