thoroughly
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for thoroughly, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adv — In a complete, careful way, leaving nothing undone.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use thoroughly
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From thorough plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.
Full origin of thoroughly →Frequently asked questions
What does “thoroughly” mean?
The word “thoroughly” means in a complete, careful way, leaving nothing undone. In plain terms, completely and carefully, in every detail.
How do you pronounce “thoroughly”?
“Thoroughly” is pronounced THUHR-uh-lee (/ˈθʌɹ.ə.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “thoroughly” in a sentence?
Here is “thoroughly” used in a sentence: “She thoroughly cleaned the kitchen before the guests arrived.”
What part of speech is “thoroughly”?
“Thoroughly” is an adverb.
Is “thoroughly” a common word?
“Thoroughly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between thoroughly and completely?
Completely simply means to the full extent, while thoroughly adds the idea of care and attention to detail — a thoroughly cleaned room was cleaned carefully as well as fully. Thoroughly also works as an intensifier meaning "utterly," as in "thoroughly enjoyable."
Is it thoroughly or throughly?
The standard modern spelling is thoroughly. "Throughly" is an archaic form that appears in older texts but is treated as a misspelling in modern English.
What is the difference between thorough and thoroughly?
Thorough is the adjective and describes nouns, as in "a thorough inspection," while thoroughly is the adverb and modifies verbs or adjectives, as in "inspect it thoroughly." If you could substitute "careful," use thorough; if you could substitute "carefully" or "completely," use thoroughly.