thorough

/ˈθʌɹə/

Group 16Difficulty 1/3

Definition

(adjective)
Complete with regard to every detail; not superficial or partial
GRE

Example in Context

The auditor's thorough examination uncovered discrepancies that had eluded three previous reviews.

Synonyms

detailedcompleteexhaustive

Etymology

Going completely through every detail.

  • thurh (Old English) — through

Memory Aid

🔍Sounds like “thorough

Imagine a detective so THOROUGH that he inspects every crumb in a cookie jar, thinking a missing cookie is a MYSTERY!

Visual Association

🕵️‍♂️A detective with a magnifying glass examining tiny cookie crumbs on the table, determined to solve the case.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “thorough” mean on the GRE?

thorough (adjective) means “Complete with regard to every detail; not superficial or partial”. The auditor's thorough examination uncovered discrepancies that had eluded three previous reviews.

How to remember “thorough” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “thorough” sounds like “thorough”. Imagine a detective so THOROUGH that he inspects every crumb in a cookie jar, thinking a missing cookie is a MYSTERY!

What are synonyms for “thorough”?

Common synonyms: detailed, complete, exhaustive.