Words / B2

THUR-uh-lee/ˈθʌrəli/

Thoroughly means completely and with great care: check thoroughly; thoroughly unconvincing. Thorough is the adjective (already in the dictionary); through is movement (already elsewhere). Check the references thoroughly before you submit. Mix-up: through / though / thought. Do not write thoroughly for “quite” or a quick skim.

Meaning

Completely and with great care.

Examples

• “Check the references thoroughly before you submit, the handbook said.”
• “A thoroughly unconvincing alibi featured in the source, which is the “completely” sense.”

Good to know

check / wash / revise thoroughly; thoroughly + adjective. Adjective: thorough. Trap: through / though. Exams, science, and news. Completely and carefully, not a glance.

Near in meaning

carefully

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