through
through Lexical Profile
through Game Scores & Validity
• adverb
Moving in one side and out of the other side of an opening, channel, or location.
"The security guard unlocked the gate and waved the visitors through."
From the beginning to the end of an experience, period, or inspection, or completely to the core.
"Please read the contract through carefully before signing the final page."
Connected by telephone to the intended person or department.
"I waited on hold for ten minutes before the operator finally put me through to the billing office."
• preposition
Moving in one side and out of the other side of an opening, interior, or surrounding medium.
"The commuter train sped through the mountain tunnel toward the coast."
Continuing in time from the beginning to the end of a period, or up to and including a specified time or item.
"The art exhibition runs from Tuesday through Sunday this week."
By means of a process, agency, or intermediary, or as a result of a particular cause.
"She achieved her fluency in Spanish through years of dedicated practice and immersion."
Having successfully passed beyond or endured a difficult stage, test, or ordeal.
"Our debaters made it through the preliminary rounds without a single loss."
• adjective
Having completed an activity, task, or relationship, or having no further use or prospect of success.
"Let me know when you are through with the reference book so I can borrow it."
Continuing or valid to the final destination without requiring a change of vehicle or interruption, or allowing continuous passage from one end to the other.
"We booked a through train to Paris so we would not have to transfer stations with our heavy luggage."
Word Nuance & Usage
Easily confused with its homophone 'threw' (the past tense of 'throw') and the similarly spelled words 'thorough' (complete or detailed) and 'though' (despite the fact that). In American English, 'through' with time periods is inclusive of the final stated date (e.g., 'Monday through Friday' includes Friday).
• Rhymes for through
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'thurh', derived from Proto-Germanic '*thurx' and ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root '*tere-', meaning 'to cross over' or 'pass through'.