thoroughthor‧ough /ˈθʌrə $ ˈθʌroʊ, ˈθʌrə/ ●●○ adjective 
The doctor gave him a thorough check-up. a thorough and detailed biography The police investigation was very thorough. thorough notes of the meeting2[not usually before noun] careful to do things properly so that you avoid mistakes: The screening of applicants must be thorough.► see thesaurus at careful3a thorough pest/nuisance/mess British English used to emphasize the bad qualities of someone or something—thoroughness noun [uncountable]
WORD ORIGINthorough
Origin:
1400-1500 thorough ‘through’ (11-21 centuries), from throughEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a thorough investigation
- Building inspectors should have a thorough knowledge of construction materials.
- Congress is demanding a thorough investigation.
- Have you had a thorough medical check-up within the last year?
- His assessment of the situation was quite thorough.
- Our mechanics will check everything - they're very thorough.
- Researchers have to be very thorough to make sure lab results are accurate.
- The police have made a thorough search of the area.
- The position requires a thorough understanding of web page design software.
- The report was thorough and detailed.
- A thorough examination seems long overdue.
- Environmental impact research and consultation with Aborigines and pastoralists have been thorough, it says.
- Julius quickly sorted through them, tossing them carelessly on to the floor as he continued his fast but thorough search.
- Other groups of plants require a thorough revision before we can be sure of the proper name for the species.
- The aim should be to carry out a prompt and thorough investigation.
- The Braves' 12-1 victory in Game 1 Sunday night was a rude, thorough dismantling.
- The Braves were more methodical but just as thorough, the baseball version of water torture.
- Thus Hans Sloane began the thorough grounding on which he was to build his successful career.
THESAURUS
trying to avoid mistakes and do everything correctly by paying a lot of attention to details: · Try to be more careful with your punctuation.· A careful inspection showed cracks in the foundation of the building.
always doing things in a careful and well-organized way: · He is very methodical in his work and likes to plan everything in advance.· This time the researchers used a more methodical approach to the problem.
careful to examine or deal with every part of something, so that you do not miss anything important: · There will be a thorough investigation into the circumstances of her death.· Our mechanics will check everything – they’re very thorough.
very careful about every small detail in order to make sure everything is done correctly: · She keeps meticulous records of the students’ progress.· He was meticulous about keeping the place clean and tidy.
using a fixed plan in a careful and well-organized way in order to do everything that you should: · a systematic review of the scientific evidence· We need a systematic way to evaluate employees.
using a lot of time and effort to do something in a very careful and thorough way: · The book is the result of ten years of painstaking research.· They began the long and painstaking task of translating his work into English.
Longman Language Activatorcareful work/checks/actions a careful test, study, piece of work etc is done carefully and correctly, with a lot of attention to detail: · A careful inspection showed cracks in the foundation of the building.· Her book is the result of years of careful research.
a thorough search, check, examination etc is one that is done carefully so that no detail is missed : · The doctor gave me a thorough check-up.thorough search/check/examination etc: · The police have made a thorough search of the area.
a systematic way of doing something uses a fixed plan, so that everything gets done thoroughly - use this especially about activities that are dishonest or harmful: · the systematic destruction of the country's education system· Ex-prisoners talked of systematic cruelty within the jail.
: rigorous tests/checks/examination etc checks etc that are done very carefully to make sure that something is safe, suitable etc or of the right quality or standard: · Every new drug has to pass a series of rigorous safety checks before it is put on sale.· The entrance tests for people wishing to enter the diplomatic service are particularly rigorous.
very careful and thorough, and taking a lot of time and effort: · They began the long and painstaking task of compiling a bibliography.
: close look/examination paying very careful attention to details: · Take a close look at this photograph.· On closer examination of the facts it became clear that the boy was innocent.
very carefully making sure that every detail is exactly right, so that it cannot be criticized: · Scrupulous cleanliness is necessary when preparing food in a restaurant.· The investigation was carried out with scrupulous fairness.· Outstanding hospitality and scrupulous attention to detail make The Oceanic one of the finest hotels in the resort.
careful to do things correctly someone who is careful tries not to make mistakes, and tries to do everything correctly: · She's a careful, hard-working student.careful with: · Try to be more careful with your punctuation.careful (not) to do something: · They were careful not to touch anything until the police arrived.· Fry the garlic, being careful not to let it burn.
formal if you do something with care you do it carefully in order to make sure that you do not make any mistakes: · She has to work slowly and with great care in order to get the picture just right.· Her room is beautifully furnished, with a great deal of care and attention to detail.· Aunt Beryl's presents were well-received, and had obviously been chosen with a lot of care.
someone who is conscientious has a serious attitude to their work or their duties and tries hard to do everything they have been asked to do in the way that it should be done: · She was a very conscientious student and attended all her lectures.· His previous employer describes him as honest, hard-working and conscientious.conscientious about: · I wish everyone was as conscientious as you are about getting to work on time.
someone who is thorough is careful that all the work they do is complete and correct: · Our mechanics will check everything - they're very thorough.
someone who is meticulous pays a lot of attention to every detail in order to make sure that everything is done correctly: · This beautiful piece of jewellery is the work of a meticulous craftsman.· My mother was extremely meticulous and always made sure that every room in the house was spotlessly clean.meticulous about: · Our accountant is very meticulous about his work. I can't imagine him ever making a mistake.
someone who is methodical always does their work in a carefully planned way and is careful to check everything they do: · Poirot, always deliberate and methodical, made a list of all the possible suspects.· Barnes is a conscientious and methodical journalist who would have checked all of the facts before writing the story.
examining, considering, or including every detail or part · Police made a complete search of the area.· A complete safety check was performed on the aircraft prior to takeoff.· This is a complete list of educational publishers in Britain.
a thorough search, examination, check etc includes everything that can be included: · Congress is demanding a thorough investigation.· Have you had a thorough medical check-up within the last year?· His assessment of the situation was quite thorough.thorough understanding: · The position requires a thorough understanding of web page design software.
including all the necessary facts, or a lot of details: · The atlas contains full statistical descriptions of each country.· Full details of the travel arrangements will be published as soon as possible.· David wants a full report of the accident first thing in the morning.
very thorough, especially because it is important that nothing is left out and that every possible problem is dealt with: · The factory was given a comprehensive safety inspection three months ago.· This is the largest and most comprehensive study ever made of the city's public transportation system.
so complete that not even the smallest detail or possibility is missed: · As a result of exhaustive inquiries the police are at last able to issue a description of the murderer.· The list shown here is by no means exhaustive.
an in-depth study, discussion, report etc is thorough and complete and considers all details: · See chapter 6 for an in-depth discussion of this topic.· The study is based on in-depth interviews with a nationally representative sample of 1,500 US households.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Steve has a good grasp of the European legal system. The aim of the course is to give students a thorough grounding in English pronunciation.
1including every possible detail: · An engineer gave the computer a thorough check.
(=very careful)· There needs to be a thorough examination of these claims.
Steve has a good grasp of the European legal system. The aim of the course is to give students a thorough grounding in English pronunciation. (=detailed knowledge about all of a particular subject)· He demonstrated an in-depth knowledge of the subject matter.
(=very careful and detailed)· Thorough preparation is the best way to do well in an exam.
· Their conclusion is based on a comprehensive review of all the previous studies.
· We conducted a thorough search of the building.
· The degree gives students a thorough understanding of issues relating to housing.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· They were far from being a pretty sight but he forced himself to carry out as thorough an investigation as he could.· My client wonders if the police have been as thorough in their research as they seem to imply.· The regulation need not be as thorough as the bank or building society variety.
· All patients ate normal food, but some reported more thorough mastication and slower swallowing than before.· It turned into a rout, more thorough than anyone could have imagined.· The Arabs have a more thorough grasp of medicine than we.· The physician by means of a general examination singles out the individual whose physical defects require a more thorough testing.· Eventually a more thorough cleaning will remove any dirt and later retouching.· He resolved upon a more thorough investigation of the crater by a trained field geologist.· Perhaps this mess will prompt a more thorough check of the suitability of patients before they undergo such long and expensive treatment.· You had a much more thorough training.
· The study has been going since early 1998, and is the most thorough investigation into speed limiters ever carried out.· The redesign is the most thorough ever for a Corvette, with nearly every part of the two-seat coupe rethought and re-engineered.· At the other extreme are those planners who compose the most thorough set of notes for their essays.· The most thorough check costs about $ 120.· Productopia is the most thorough collection of buying guides, customer opinions, ratings and links to external reviews.· Lemert's concept of secondary deviance perhaps represented the most thorough resurrection of the criminological concern with the criminal justice system.· The most thorough and systematic of these was conducted by Russell in San Francisco in 1978.
· Anaxagoras Anaxagoras' view of the universe is so thorough that it is frustrating to hear little of his meteorological doctrines.
· Mission designers are very thorough in eliminating any excess weight from the spacecraft.· It searches the newsgroups and does a very thorough job of it.· Nevertheless, Cézanne had intuitively evolved a means of explaining the nature of solid forms in a new, very thorough way.· A very thorough index will save anyone from getting lost.· He could be very thorough ... A body on a garbage dump nine miles out west of Atlanta.· He is very thorough on the tactics and won't miss a thing.· He was very thorough, very detailed.· It is very thorough but requires the user to be prepared to look in depth at each technical area of painting.
NOUN· The judge commended not only his elegant and thorough analysis but also his lucid exposition of the work.· Defensible conclusions in analyses of politics often require extensive data, thorough analysis, and consideration of several alternative explanations.· Nolla etal made a more thorough analysis, determining fluid transport on days 4, 6, 9, and 13.· Such an inquiry could have produced serious questions and a thorough analysis regarding the precepts of Centralism that underlay the entire scheme.· These key strategic factors ought to be observable from a thorough analysis of market attractiveness and competitive strengths.· A thorough analysis is indicated... it might take months.
· Braun has also overseen a thorough examination of all the corporate processes and product lines.· A thorough examination seems long overdue.· Five tenders were returned and following a thorough examination by the team, the bid of Ericsson was selected for recommendation.· It is important to subject views, ideas and actions to thorough examination.· After a thorough examination he said that I was well enough to hold it down.· League officials are to take this on board and make a thorough examination.· The police must surely have carried out a more thorough examination of the rooms since the discovery of the body.
· Thus Hans Sloane began the thorough grounding on which he was to build his successful career.· It aims to give writers and art directors a thorough grounding of the advertising business and valuable first-hand experience.· Applicants for postgraduate study should have a thorough grounding in economics, preferably at the Master's level.· The first and second years of the course give students a thorough grounding in basic musicianship and develop their practical skills.
· The aim should be to carry out a prompt and thorough investigation.· He resolved upon a more thorough investigation of the crater by a trained field geologist.· Sabotage was suspected but after a thorough investigation was never proved.· But before any work starts, Swindon Friends of the Earth wants a thorough investigation into the possible dangers.· The study has been going since early 1998, and is the most thorough investigation into speed limiters ever carried out.· Money Joint finances are highlighted - a thorough investigation of each other's spending is called for.· The presence of symptomatic gall stones in eight patients is interesting and is the subject of a more thorough investigation.· There's been a thorough investigation.
· He did make a pretty thorough job of it.· It searches the newsgroups and does a very thorough job of it.· Although we are all aware of relatively simple security measures such as password controls, doing a thorough job requires experience and expertise.· Ferreting has been perfected to the point where it does a thorough job.· Not in public, at least, if you make a thorough job of your repentance.· To do a thorough job, the police need more time.· However, staff would return to do a more thorough job.
· This position calls for a thorough knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry and the role and nature of clinical development.· Now, take a look at why. 1. thorough knowledge of service.· A thorough knowledge of the ancients is thus a prerequisite of criticism.· Students will be expected to have a thorough knowledge of them for their first grading exam.· A thorough knowledge of analytical chemistry and experience in chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques is therefore essential.· Sales-forces organized on a customer basis have the advantage of a thorough knowledge of their customers' needs and sales records.· A thorough knowledge of such conditions is essential when determining the most advantageous international payment methods for your business.· The analysis and valuation of a claim often requires a very thorough knowledge of labour, plant and materials use with time.
· Calls for a thorough overhaul are growing louder.· Paradox 4 represents a thorough overhaul of an already well-liked product.· Rufus had thought Goblander needed a thorough overhaul and the mechanic confirmed this, adding that it would cost him.
· A thorough review of social movement theory and research in advanced industrial democracies.· Extra staff brought in to clear the backlog should be kept on until a thorough review is made.· A more thorough review of statutory requirements in line with the Government concern to reduce burdens on industry has been announced.· We should hope that it presages a more thorough review of alcohol taxation.
· After that we made a thorough search of the chapel, its walls, flagstones and altar, but there was nothing.· I want a thorough search of the whole building, particularly possible means of access and exit.· Julius quickly sorted through them, tossing them carelessly on to the floor as he continued his fast but thorough search.· A thorough search was made but nothing was found.· A prerequisite for linkage studies would thus be a thorough search for subclinical manifestations of inherited liability.· Now Benning wanted a thorough search and with Carter in custody this should pose no problem.
· One that balances leading edge technological capability with a thorough understanding of your business.· Successful practice requires a thorough understanding of how a shift from practical to verbal consciousness occurs and may be facilitated.· Moreover, a thorough understanding of the uses of technology may demand more or less understanding of theoretical science.· To gain a thorough understanding of the concepts presented, the reader is referred to the bibliography.· It has the added value of being firmly rooted in a thorough understanding of technique.· Finally, a thorough understanding of the characteristics and potential of all the channels available is essential for good communication.· The intention here is to provide prospective teachers with a thorough understanding of language as a phenomenon in an educational context.· However, these proposals are not based currently on thorough understanding of the consequences.
The doctor gave him a thorough check-up. a thorough and detailed biography The police investigation was very thorough. thorough notes of the meeting2[not usually before noun] careful to do things properly so that you avoid mistakes: The screening of applicants must be thorough.► see thesaurus at careful3a thorough pest/nuisance/mess British English used to emphasize the bad qualities of someone or something—thoroughness noun [uncountable]