Through
/θruː/
Definitions
5 meaningsFrom one side or end to the other of something; by way of; in or into.
/θruː/
Entering at one side and exiting at the other side of something.
The river flows through the city.
💡 Simply: Think of going *through* a door to get to the next room, or walking *through* a park to get to the other side. It's about passing from one place or point to another, like walking *through* a crowd of people.
👶 For kids: Going from one side of something to the other, like walking *through* a door or a tunnel.
More Examples
She walked through the door.
The bullet went through the window.
How It's Used
"The train went through the tunnel."
During the course of (a period of time).
/θruː/
During a period of time.
She stayed through the whole concert.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're working *through* the day, meaning from the start until the end of the day. It's like saying 'all the way' during a certain time, like *through* the summer or *through* the entire project.
👶 For kids: Happening during a time, like playing *through* the whole afternoon.
More Examples
They worked through the weekend.
The store is open through Christmas.
How It's Used
"We worked through the night."
By means of.
/θruː/
By means of or by the agency of.
They communicated through email.
💡 Simply: Imagine receiving a message *through* a friend – that friend is the *through* means, like saying 'by'. It's how something happens or gets done, like getting a scholarship *through* hard work.
👶 For kids: Using something to help you do something, like sending a letter *through* the post office.
More Examples
We learned about it through a news report.
He got the job through his connections.
How It's Used
"The information came through a reliable source."
Finished; completed.
/θruː/
Finished; completed
I'm through with this book; I've read it.
💡 Simply: When you say 'I'm *through* with that,' it means you're done with it, like you're *through* playing a game. It's like saying 'I've had enough' or 'I'm finished'.
👶 For kids: Finished or done with something, like being *through* with your homework.
More Examples
Are you through with your work?
She's through with arguing.
How It's Used
"I'm through with this project!"
From beginning to end; to completion.
/θruː/
From beginning to end.
Read the report through.
💡 Simply: When you do something *through*, it means you do it completely, like reading a book *through* to the very end. It emphasizes doing something thoroughly and completely.
👶 For kids: Doing something all the way to the end, like reading a book all the way *through*.
More Examples
I thought the matter through.
She looked through the old photos.
How It's Used
"He read the book through."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
all the way through
Completely; from beginning to end.
"He stayed with her all the way through the illness."
go through with something
To do something that you have planned or agreed to do, especially something unpleasant.
"Despite her fears, she went through with the surgery."
through and through
Completely; thoroughly; in every way.
"She's a professional athlete through and through."
From Old English *þurh*, from Proto-Germanic *þurx*, related to the word 'door' indicating a passage or opening.
Used since Old English, reflecting its importance in describing movement and passage.
Memory tip
Imagine a tunnel. You enter at one end and come out the other.
Word Origin
"passage, opening"