What does "through" mean?
A coffin, sarcophagus or tomb of stone; a large slab of stone laid on a tomb, or in a dry-stone wall from one side to the other; a perpend.
Through
/θɹuː/ adj, adv, noun, prep
adj, adv, noun, prep ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A coffin, sarcophagus or tomb of stone; a large slab of stone laid on a tomb, or in a dry-stone wall from one side to the other; a perpend.
- Grammar: through is listed as adj, adv, noun, prep.
- Nearest alternatives: about, abroach, across, all bets off.
- Useful contrasts: after, around, before.
- Usage evidence: Many people drift through life without a purpose.
How to use "through"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "through" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "through" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "through" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "through" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "through" is acting as adj, adv, noun, prep in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "about" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "through", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A coffin, sarcophagus or tomb of stone; a large slab of stone laid on a tomb, or in a dry-stone wall from one side to the other; a perpend. obsolete
Adjective
- 1 Passing from one side of something to the other. not-comparable
"Interstate highways form a nationwide system of through roads."
- 2 Finished; complete. US, not-comparable
"They were through with laying the subroof by noon."
- 3 Along the course of a task etc.; used in expressions of progress towards the end. not-comparable
"It's a big job but we're halfway through."
- 4 Without a future; done for. not-comparable
"After being implicated in the scandal, he was through as an executive in financial services."
- 5 No longer interested; wearied or turned off by experience. not-comparable
"She was through with him."
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 Proceeding from origin to destination without the need to change transport vehicle. not-comparable
"The through flight through Memphis was the fastest."
- 7 In possession of the ball beyond the last line of defence but not necessarily the goalkeeper; through on goal. not-comparable
"With the Swifts calling for offside the striker was through and only a great save from McIlravey prevented the opener."
- 8 (usually followed by "to") Able to progress (to the next stage or a higher level) following success in an exam, sports match, etc. Commonwealth, Ireland, UK, not-comparable, rare
"Manchester United are through to the FA Cup Final for the thirteenth time."
Adjective
- 1 (of a route or journey etc.) continuing without requiring stops or changes wordnet
- 2 having finished or arrived at completion wordnet
Adverb
- 1 From one side of something to the other.; By way of the interior. not-comparable
"The arrow went straight through."
- 2 From one side of something to the other.; By way of an opening. not-comparable
"I opened the window and climbed through."
- 3 From one side of something to the other.; So as to overcome an obstacle and pass beyond it; past. not-comparable
"The road is blocked by an overturned truck, and cars can't get through."
- 4 So as to pass a stage in a process and proceed to the next stage or level. not-comparable
"The bill will be tabled tomorrow, but I doubt that it will be voted through."
- 5 From beginning to end, or from the present position to the end. not-comparable
"Others went to bed for the night; he worked straight through."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 Throughout something; all the way across or into. not-comparable
"Leave the yarn in the dye overnight so the color soaks through."
- 7 So as to connect or reach. not-comparable
"I've been ringing my bank all day, and finally I've got through."
Adverb
- 1 throughout the entire extent wordnet
- 2 over the whole distance wordnet
- 3 in diameter wordnet
- 4 from beginning to end wordnet
- 5 to completion wordnet
Preposition
- 1 From one side or end of (something) to the other.; So as to enter (something), pass within or across, and then leave.
"I drove through Lausanne on my way from Geneva to Zurich."
- 2 From one side or end of (something) to the other.; So as to progress within (something) or towards the end or limit of (something).
"The virus broke out in the capital city and is now spreading quickly through the country."
- 3 From one side or end of (something) to the other.; From one side of (an opening) to the other.
"Go straight ahead and through that door."
- 4 From one side or end of (something) to the other.; To or beyond the other side of (an obstacle); past.
"I hope to start in the autumn, but I've got to get through the interview first."
- 5 From one side or end of (something) to the other.; Indicating that something has been consumed or used up.
"Have you got through all those chocolates already?!"
Show 9 more definitions
- 6 From one side or end of (something) to the other.; Along the course of; used in expressions of progress towards the end of something.
"We're halfway through the year."
- 7 From one side or end of (something) to the other.; Throughout the duration of.
"He worked through the night."
- 8 Via or by way of.; By way of (a physical passage).
"The hot water enters through this pipe."
- 9 Via or by way of.; By way of (an intermediary, agent, medium, etc.).
"I met her through a friend of mine."
- 10 Throughout or across the extent of.
"There are errors all through this report."
- 11 Amidst or surrounded by (while moving).
"We slogged through the mud for hours before turning back and giving up."
- 12 To (or up to) and including, with all intermediate values; to... inclusive; until the end of. Canada, US
"from 1945 through 1991; the numbers 1 through 9; your membership is active through March 15, 2013"
- 13 By means of.
"This team believes in winning through intimidation."
- 14 In consequence of; as a result of.
"The project failed through lack of investment."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Many people drift through life without a purpose."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "through"?
Common synonyms include: about, abroach, across, all bets off, all off, all over.
How do you use "through" in a sentence?
Many people drift through life without a purpose.
How do you pronounce "through"?
Pronounced /θɹuː/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English thrugh, thruch, thruh, metathetic variants of thurgh, thurh, from Old English þurh, from Proto-Germanic *þurhw (“through”), from Proto-Indo-European *tr̥h₂kʷe, suffixed zero-grade from *terh₂- (“to pass through”) + *-kʷe (“and”). Cognates Cognate with North Frisian döör (“through”), Saterland Frisian truch (“through”), West Frisian troch (“through”), Dutch door (“through”), German durch (“through”), Luxembourgish duerch (“through”), West Flemish deur (“through”), Yiddish דורך (durkh, “through”), Gothic 𐌸𐌰𐌹𐍂𐌷 (þairh, “through”), Latin trans (“across, over, through”), Albanian tërthor (“through, around”), Welsh tra (“through”). See also thorough.
Etymology 2
From Middle English thrugh, þrouȝ, throgh, from Old English þrūh (“trough, conduit, pipe; box, chest; coffin, tomb”), from Proto-Germanic *þrūhs (“excavated trunk, trough”), from Proto-Indo-European *terh₃u- (“to rub, turn, drill, bore”).