Throughout

θruːˈaʊt

prepositionBeginner🔥Very CommonLiterature
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

During the whole time or period of; in or to every part of.

θruːˈaʊt

prepositionneutralBeginner
Literature

From beginning to end or in every part of

The store is open throughout the week.

💡 Simply: It means all the way from start to finish, or in all parts of something. Like, if you read a book throughout the night, you read it all night.

👶 For kids: It means all the way through or in every part of something. Like, rain all over the place.

More Examples

2

The artist's work was displayed throughout the gallery.

3

The news spread throughout the town.

4

The children played in the park throughout the afternoon.

How It's Used

General Usage

"The museum is open throughout the year."

Spatial

"Rain was falling throughout the country."

2

In or to every part; everywhere; from beginning to end.

θruːˈaʊt

adverbneutralBeginner
General

In or to every part; everywhere

The message was clear throughout the presentation.

💡 Simply: It means everywhere or all the way. For instance, if you see decorations throughout the house, it means they are everywhere.

👶 For kids: It means all over the place! Like, a movie is playing all the way from the beginning to the end.

More Examples

2

The issue of climate change is discussed throughout the report.

3

The noise echoed throughout the building.

4

The rumors spread throughout the office.

How It's Used

Literature

"The theme of love is evident throughout the novel."

General Usage

"The music played throughout the evening."

Tip:Think 'thorough' - completely covering something.

Idioms & expressions

through thick and thin

In good times and bad; under all circumstances.

"They have supported each other through thick and thin."

From Middle English 'thoroughout', a combination of 'thorough' (completely) and 'out' (from the beginning to the end).

Historically used in Middle English, and related to the concept of completeness and traversing an area completely.

Memory tip

Think of it as 'all the way' – all the way through.

Word Origin

LanguageMiddle English
Original meaning

"thorough (completely) + out (from the beginning to the end)"

throughout the weekthroughout the yearthroughout the countrythroughout the buildingthroughout the night

Common misspellings

throughoutthrough out

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written