Thoroughly
/ˈθʌrəli/
Definitions
In a complete and careful manner; with great attention to detail.
/ˈθʌrəli/
In a complete and careful manner
The detective investigated the crime scene thoroughly.
💡 Simply: Like when you clean your room, you want to do it *thoroughly*! That means checking under the bed, in the closet, and everywhere to make sure it's super clean and tidy.
👶 For kids: When you do something thoroughly, it means you do it carefully and completely, not missing anything!
More Examples
She cleaned the house thoroughly before the guests arrived.
He revised his essay thoroughly before submitting it.
How It's Used
"The auditor examined the financial records thoroughly."
"Students should review the material thoroughly before the exam."
"The scientist researched the data thoroughly."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
thorough and complete
Describing something done in a very detailed and careful manner
"The doctor performed a thorough and complete examination."
thorough search
A search that is careful and complete.
"The police conducted a thorough search of the premises."
From Middle English thoroughli, thorowly, from thorough (adjective, adverb, preposition) + -ly (suffix). 'Thorough' derives from Old English þurh (through).
The word has been used consistently to mean 'completely' or 'carefully' since the 16th century.
Memory tip
Think of a thorny path—you have to be thorough to navigate it safely.
Word Origin
"through + -ly (adverb suffix)"