Is there a place or a type of dictionary or even a good method, that instead of searching for a word, I can search for a meaning and get more words that have similar idea or meaning?
For example, if I had an idea in my mind say, «walk up the bus». I can then search for this idea and then get words such as board, hop on, alight, etc. I thought that if there is such a tool, it would be very helpful in my writing because sometimes, I need to look for a particular word to describe or add effects to an action or event but I couldn’t. The thesaurus works but say in the example given, if I entered «walk» into the thesaurus, it may give me other words like stroll, stride, etc and not what I really want because the keyword «bus» isn’t considered in the search. Similarly, if there is such a tool, instead of walk, I could search «walk hastily», that could give me words that describe the action of walking quickly.
Other forms: throughly
As an adjective, through means finished or done. As an adverb it can mean backward and forward, completely, up to and including, or all the way to the end. The preposition through means in and out of.
Through has lots of meanings. If you finished your homework you might shout — gleefully — «I’m through!» Those people who wouldn’t be quiet talked through the entire movie. The first half of the alphabet are the letters A through M. If you’ve memorized the multiplication table, you know the whole thing through. And, of course, you walk through a door.
Definitions of through
-
adjective
having finished or arrived at completion
“after the treatment, the patient is
through except for follow-up”“almost
through with his studies”-
synonyms:
done, through with
-
finished
ended or brought to an end
-
finished
-
adjective
(of a route or journey etc.) continuing without requiring stops or changes
“a
through street”“a
through bus”“through traffic”
-
Synonyms:
-
direct
direct in spatial dimensions; proceeding without deviation or interruption; straight and short
-
direct
-
adverb
from beginning to end
-
adverb
over the whole distance
“this bus goes
through to New York” -
“think this
through very carefully!” -
adverb
throughout the entire extent
“got soaked
through in the rain”“I’m frozen
through”“a letter shot
through with the writer’s personality”“knew him
through and through”“boards rotten
through and through”-
synonyms:
through and through
-
“this cylinder measures 15 inches
through”
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘through’.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
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Preposition
He hit the nail through the wood.
She looked through the binoculars.
The bullet had gone through his hand.
He just walked through the door.
The security guards pushed their way through the crowd.
She could see a figure through the fog.
I looked through the window.
Adverb
Let these people go through, please.
The nail went completely through.
It snowed heavily, but we made it through.
We’ll never get through—the mud is too deep.
The package was shipped through to New Orleans.
Read the essay through and tell me what you think.
Adjective
When the police were through with him, a taxi took him, his suitcase, the homburg funeral hat, in the other direction …
—
Annie Proulx, Atlantic, November 1997
I tell him I like fanzines. This one’s mad, he says, really mad. I can borrow it when he’s through.
—Lynne Tillman, Motion Sickness, 1991
Today though, once experience shows on a woman’s face, she’s through.
—Patricia Volk, New Woman, November 1990
I’m not through yet. I have one more topic to discuss.
If you’re through using the phone, I’d like to use it next.
Is this a through road?
The left lane is for through traffic only.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Featuring a tough-as-hell twill fabric, these are the ultimate work pants to get you through a day onsite.
—Maverick Li, Men’s Health, 3 Feb. 2023
While the goal is to get it through food first, a supplement can help fill in where diet is lacking.
—Good Housekeeping, 3 Feb. 2023
Buyers will need to register through Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan system.
—Doug George, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2023
Don’t just grab a conventional cup of coffee to get you through the day.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2023
The criminal case against Mr. Handler and his co-defendants could take months to work its way through the court system.
—Eliza Shapiro, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2023
Watching the comet zip through the inner solar system has created an ever-changing backdrop of the universe, where distant galaxies gleam in the background, Sultan said.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 2 Feb. 2023
Britain’s cardiology departments are a microcosm of the problems that have spread through the system.
—Fox News, 2 Feb. 2023
Currently, artists such as The Weeknd, Alicia Keys and Carrie Underwood also are offering their best seats – often dubbed Platinum Tickets – through this variable pricing system.
—Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 2 Feb. 2023
Both teams were quick to get points on the board early in the game, but LSU were able to hold onto their lead all the way through.
—Jacob Linden, Redbook, 5 Apr. 2023
The severe threat is with activity AFTER the morning storms/rain moves through.
—Leigh Morgan, al, 2 Apr. 2023
The rainfall intensity sharply increased in the Haight Ashbury area around 11:30 a.m., as a strong band of showers moved through.
—Claire Hao, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2023
Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who has strongly advocated for the reform to be pushed through, opened the door to the possibility of a delay on Monday.
—Amir Tal, CNN, 27 Mar. 2023
Clouds linger Saturday with some light showers possible and highs anywhere from near 60 to near 70 depending on the speed of a cool front moving through.
—Matt Rogers, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2023
There’s only love, moving through, trying your best.
—Leah Lu, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2023
To not see it all the way through is hard.
—Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2023
Goodman: Writing takes place all the way through.
—Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2023
The plan is to maintain the rural property, with its creeks, grassy hills and oak woodlands, in its current, largely natural state and eventually build a through-trail for hikers.
—Kurtis Alexander, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Apr. 2023
But with anything in life, the only way is through.
—Alexis Jones, Peoplemag, 29 Mar. 2023
Anthony latched onto a through ball with three minutes left in double overtime, beat two Moeller defenders and slotted home the winning goal to send the Eagles to their first state appearance in school history.
—Brendan Connelly, The Enquirer, 10 Nov. 2022
Pomykal played a through ball into the box as Ferreira started his run.
—Jon Arnold, Dallas News, 24 July 2022
The Pride had a scoring opportunity in the 16th minute on a defense-splitting run from forward Darian Jenkins, who was targeted by midfielder Erika Tymrak with a through ball into the penalty area.
—Wire Reports, Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2022
This metaphor provides a through line throughout the entire episode.
—Lincee Ray, EW.com, 9 Nov. 2022
For example, consider the difference between click-through rate of a content item (micro) compared to the number of purchases during the year (macro).
—Marielle Dellemijn, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022
The second goal came in the 65th, when the Norwegian timed his run perfectly to meet a through ball from Kevin de Bruyne and then used his left foot to slot the ball inside the far corner.
—Mattias KarÉn, ajc, 7 Aug. 2022
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘through.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
through
by way of: We’ll be driving through Seattle.; finished: We’ll be through with the project by tonight.
Not to be confused with:
threw – past tense of throw; hurl; cast; emit; project: She threw the ball a long way.
Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree
through
(thro͞o)
prep.
1. In one side and out the opposite or another side of: went through the tunnel.
2. Among or between; in the midst of: a walk through the flowers.
3. By way of: climbed in through the window.
4.
a. By the means or agency of: bought the antique vase through a dealer.
b. Into and out of the handling, care, processing, modification, or consideration of: Her application went through our office. Run the figures through the computer.
5. Here and there in; around: a tour through France.
6. From the beginning to the end of: stayed up through the night.
7. At or to the end of; done or finished with, especially successfully: We are through the initial testing period.
8. Up to and including: a play that runs through December; a volume that covers A through D.
9. Past and without stopping for: drove through a red light.
10. Because of; on account of: She succeeded through hard work. He declined the honor through modesty.
adv.
1. From one end or side to another or an opposite end or side: opened the door and went through.
2. From beginning to end; completely: I read the article once through.
3. Throughout the whole extent or thickness; thoroughly: warmed the leftovers clear through; got soaked through in the rain; a letter that was shot through with the writer’s personality.
4. Over the total distance; all the way: drove through to their final destination.
5. To a conclusion or an accomplishment: see a matter through.
adj.
1. Allowing continuous passage; unobstructed: a through street.
2.
a. Affording transportation to a destination with few or no stops and no transfers: a through bus; a through ticket.
b. Continuing on a highway without exiting: through traffic; through lanes.
3. Passing or extending from one end, side, or surface to another: a through beam.
4. Having finished; at completion: She was through with the project.
5. Having no further concern, dealings, or connection: I’m through with him.
6.
a. Having no more use, value, or potential; washed-up: That swimmer is through as an athlete.
b. Doomed to death or destruction.
Idiom:
through and through
1. In every part; throughout: wet through and through.
2. In every aspect; completely: a success through and through.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
through
(θruː)
prep
1. going in or starting at one side and coming out or stopping at the other side of: a path through the wood.
2. occupying or visiting several points scattered around in (an area)
3. as a result of; by means of: the thieves were captured through his vigilance.
4. chiefly US up to and including: Monday through Friday.
5. during: through the night.
6. at the end of; having (esp successfully) completed
7. through with having finished with (esp when dissatisfied with)
adj
8. (postpositive) having successfully completed some specified activity
9. (Telecommunications) (on a telephone line) connected
10. (postpositive) no longer able to function successfully in some specified capacity: as a journalist, you’re through.
11. (prenominal) (of a route, journey, etc) continuous or unbroken: a through train.
adv
12. through some specified thing, place, or period of time
13. thoroughly; completely
Also: thro’ (informal or poetic), thro (informal or poetic) or thru (chiefly US)
[Old English thurh; related to Old Frisian thruch, Old Saxon thuru, Old High German duruh]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
through
(θru)
prep.
1. in at one end, side, or surface and out at the other: to pass through a tunnel.
2. past; beyond: went through a red light.
3. from one to the other of: swinging through the trees.
4. across the extent of: traveled through several countries.
5. during the whole period of; throughout: worked through the night.
6. done with: What time are you through work?
7. to and including: from 1900 through 1950.
8. by the means of: I found out through him.
9. by reason of: He ran away through fear.
10. from the first to final stage of: to get through a performance on time.
adv.
11. in at one end, side, or surface and out at the other: to push a needle through.
12. all the way: This train goes through to Boston.
13. throughout: soaking wet through.
14. from beginning to end: to read a letter through.
15. to completion: to carry a matter through.
adj.
16. at a point or in a state of completion of an action, process, etc.; finished: Please be quiet until I’m through.
17. at the end of all relations or dealings: She’s through with her boyfriend.
18. extending from one end, side, etc., to the other.
19. proceeding to a destination, goal, etc., without a change, break, or deviation: a through flight; the through line of a story.
20. (of a road, route, etc.) permitting continuous or uninterrupted passage.
21. of no further use or value; washed-up: Critics say he’s through as a writer.
Idioms:
through and through,
a. throughout every part; thoroughly: cold through and through.
b. in all respects: an aristocrat through and through.
[before 900; Middle English, metathetic variant of thourgh, Old English thurh, c. Old Frisian thruch, Old Saxon thurh, thuru, Old High German duruh; akin to Old English therh, Gothic thairh through. compare thirl]
Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Adj. | 1. | through — having finished or arrived at completion; «certain to make history before he’s done»; «it’s a done deed»; «after the treatment, the patient is through except for follow-up»; «almost through with his studies»
done, through with finished — ended or brought to an end; «are you finished?»; «gave me the finished manuscript» |
| 2. | through — (of a route or journey etc.) continuing without requiring stops or changes; «a through street»; «a through bus»; «through traffic»
direct — direct in spatial dimensions; proceeding without deviation or interruption; straight and short; «a direct route»; «a direct flight»; «a direct hit» |
|
| Adv. | 1. | through — from beginning to end; «read this book through» |
| 2. | through — over the whole distance; «this bus goes through to New York» | |
| 3. | through — to completion; «think this through very carefully!» | |
| 4. | through — in diameter; «this cylinder measures 15 inches through» | |
| 5. | through — throughout the entire extent; «got soaked through in the rain»; «I’m frozen through»; «a letter shot through with the writer’s personality»; «knew him through and through»; «boards rotten through and through»
through and through |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
through
preposition
1. via, by way of, by, between, past, in and out of, from end to end of, from one side to the other of The path continues through a tunnel of trees.
adverb
1. from one side to the other, past, from one end to the other, in and out the other end She stood back to allow him to pass through.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
through
adverb
1. From one end to the other:
2. To an end or conclusion:
adjective
1. Proceeding or lying in an uninterrupted line or course:
2. Having reached completion:
3. Having no further relationship:
4. No longer effective, capable, or valuable:
The American Heritage® Roget’s Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
بِسَبَب، من خِلالبواسِطَةخِلالخِلَالخِلال، مِن جِهَة إلى أخْرى
skrzsrzvinouz jednoho konce na druhýaž do
gennemigennempå grund afdirektefærdig
enlaŭpertra
läpikautta
kroz
átkeresztülrévén
búinnfrá … tilfrá upphafi til endagegn umí gegn
･･･を通って
…을 통과하여
baigęskiaurai permirkęsnuo pradžios iki galonuo… iki …pabaigęs
ar palīdzībucaurcauridēļlīdz galam
prin
napriečod začiatku do koncaz jedného konca na druhý
prekskozizaradi
genom
ผ่านไป
— den/arasındanaktarmasızbir uçtan diğer ucabir uçtan öbür ucabir yandan diğer yana
xuyên qua
through
[θruː]
When through is an element in a phrasal verb, eg break through, fall through, look up the verb.
B. ADV
3. through and through [be something] → hasta la médula, completamente; [know something] → de pe a pa
C. ADJ
3. (Telec) you’re through! → ¡ya puede hablar!, ¡hable!
Collins Spanish Dictionary — Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
through
[ˈθruː]
adv
straight through
We decided to drive straight through to Birmingham → Nous avons décidé d’aller directement à Birmingham.
(= without a break) → sans s’arrêter
He worked straight through until morning → Il a travaillé sans s’arrêter jusqu’au matin.
I’ll be there right through to the summer → Je serai là en permanence jusqu’à l’été.
Monday through Friday (US) → du lundi au vendredi
through and through (= completely) → jusqu’à la moelle
My feet were wet and I felt frozen through and through → Mes pieds étaient mouillés et je me sentais gelé jusqu’à la moelle.
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
through
, (US) thru
adv (time, place) → durch; he’s a liar/gentleman through and through → er ist durch und durch verlogen/ein Gentleman; to sleep all night through → die ganze Nacht durchschlafen; did you stay right through? (Brit) → sind Sie bis zum Schluss geblieben?; they stayed through until Thursday (Brit) → sie blieben bis Donnerstag (da); he knew all through what I was getting at → er wusste die ganze Zeit (über), worauf ich hinauswollte; to let somebody through → jdn durchlassen; to be wet through → durch und durch or bis auf die Haut nass sein; to read something through → etw durchlesen; he’s through in the other office → er ist (drüben) im anderen Büro; the train goes through to Berlin → der Zug fährt bis nach Berlin durch
adj pred
(= finished) to be through with somebody/something → mit jdm/etw fertig sein (inf); we’re through (= have finished relationship) → es ist (alles) aus zwischen uns; (= have finished job) → wir sind fertig; I’m through with him → der ist für mich gestorben or erledigt, ich bin fertig mit ihm (all inf); I’m through with that kind of work → ich habe genug von dieser Arbeit; you’re through, Kowalski, fired → wir sind mit Ihnen fertig, Kowalski, Sie fliegen!; are you through? → sind Sie fertig?
through
:
through freight
n → Durchgangsfracht f
through-hole
adj (Comput) → durchkontaktiert
through
:
through ticket
n can I get a through to London? → kann ich bis London durchlösen?
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
through
[θruː]
2. adv
d. through and through → fino in fondo
3. adj
a. (attr, traffic) → di passaggio; (ticket, train, passage) → diretto/a
«no through road» (sign) (Brit) → «strada senza uscita»
«no through traffic» (sign) (Am) → «divieto d’accesso»
b. (finished) to be through → avere finito
we’ll be through at 7 → avremo finito per le sette
I’m through with my girlfriend → ho chiuso con la mia ragazza
I’m not through with you yet → con te non ho ancora finito
you’re through! → sei finito!
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
through
(θruː) preposition
1. into from one direction and out of in the other. The water flows through a pipe.
2. from side to side or end to end of. He walked (right) through the town.
3. from the beginning to the end of. She read through the magazine.
4. because of. He lost his job through his own stupidity.
5. by way of. He got the job through a friend.
6. (American) from … to (inclusive). I work Monday through Friday.
adverb
into and out of; from one side or end to the other; from beginning to end. He went straight/right through.
adjective
1. (of a bus or train) that goes all the way to one’s destination, so that one doesn’t have to change (buses or trains). There isn’t a through train – you’ll have to change.
2. finished. Are you through yet?
throughˈout preposition
1. in all parts of. They searched throughout the house.
2. from start to finish of. She complained throughout the journey.
adverb
in every part. The house was furnished throughout.
all through
1. from beginning to end of. The baby cried all through the night.
2. in every part of. Road conditions are bad all through the country.
soaked/wet through
very wet. His coat was wet through.
through and through
completely. He was a gentleman through and through.
through with
finished with. Are you through with the newspaper yet?
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
through
→ خِلَال přes gennem durch διαμέσου por läpi à travers kroz attraverso ･･･を通って …을 통과하여 door gjennom przez através de через genom ผ่านไป içinden xuyên qua 通过
Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
- Please let me through
- I can’t get through
- All through June (US)
For the whole of June (UK)
Collins Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
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preposition
in at one end, side, or surface and out at the other: to pass through a tunnel; We drove through Denver without stopping. Sun came through the window.
past; beyond: to go through a stop sign without stopping.
from one to the other of; between or among the individual members or parts of: to swing through the trees; This book has passed through many hands.
over the surface of, by way of, or within the limits or medium of: to travel through a country; to fly through the air.
during the whole period of; throughout: They worked through the night.
having reached the end of; done with: to be through one’s work.
to and including: from 1900 through 1950.
by the means or instrumentality of; by the way or agency of: It was through him they found out.
by reason of or in consequence of: to run away through fear.
in at the first step of a process, treatment, or method of handling, passing through subsequent steps or stages in order, and finished, accepted, or out of the last step or stage: The body of a car passes through 147 stages on the production line. The new tax bill finally got through Congress.
adverb
in at one end, side, or surface and out at the other: to push a needle through; just passing through.
all the way; along the whole distance: This train goes through to Boston.
throughout: soaking wet through.
from the beginning to the end: to read a letter through.
to the end: to carry a matter through.
to a favorable or successful conclusion: He barely managed to pull through.
adjective
having completed an action, process, etc.; finished: Please be still until I’m through. When will you be through with school?
at the end of all relations or dealings: My sister insists she’s through with selfish friends.
passing or extending from one end, side, or surface to the other: a through wound coming left to right and out the other side.
traveling or moving to a destination without changing of trains, planes, etc.: a through flight.
(of a road, route, way, course, etc., or of a ticket, routing order, etc.) admitting continuous or direct passage; having no interruption, obstruction, or hindrance: a through highway; through ticket.
(of a bridge truss) having a deck or decks within the depth of the structure.Compare deck (def. 16).
of no further use or value; washed-up: Critics say he’s through as a writer.
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Idioms about through
- through the whole extent of; thoroughly: cold through and through.
- from beginning to end; in all respects: an aristocrat through and through.
through and through,
Origin of through
before 900; Middle English (preposition and adv.), metathetic variant of thourgh,Old English thurh, cognate with German durch; akin to Old English therh,Gothic thairh through, Old High German derh perforated, Old English thyrel full of holes (adj.), hole (noun). See thirl
synonym study for through
8. See by.
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH through
threw, through
Words nearby through
throttle-body injection, Throttlebottom, throttlehold, throttle lever, throttle valve, through, through a glass darkly, through and through, through bass, through bridge, through-composed
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Words related to through
over, straight, about, buttoned-up, complete, completed, concluded, ended, finis, finished, in the bag, terminated, constant, free, nonstop, one-way, opened, rapid, regular, straightforward
How to use through in a sentence
-
Fluoride first entered an American water supply through a rather inelegant technocratic scheme.
-
We see detoxing as a path to transcendence, a symbol of modern urban virtue and self-transformation through abstinence.
-
The questions going through my mind are: How on earth are there Kalashnikovs and rocket launchers in the heart of Paris?
-
Cold War fears could be manipulated through misleading art to attract readers to daunting material.
-
It opens with Huckabee’s dramatic recollection of going through security at the airport.
-
Before Ripperda could unclasp his lips to reply, the stranger had opened the door, and passed through it like a gliding shadow.
-
A constant sense of easy balance should be developed through poising exercises.
-
This city stands upon almost two equal parts on each side the river that passes through.
-
Nothing remarkable occurred in our march through this country.
-
Just corporeal enough to attest humanity, yet sufficiently transparent to let the celestial origin shine through.
British Dictionary definitions for through
preposition
going in or starting at one side and coming out or stopping at the other side ofa path through the wood
occupying or visiting several points scattered around in (an area)
as a result of; by means ofthe thieves were captured through his vigilance
mainly US up to and includingMonday through Friday
duringthrough the night
at the end of; having (esp successfully) completed
through with having finished with (esp when dissatisfied with)
adjective
(postpositive) having successfully completed some specified activity
(on a telephone line) connected
(postpositive) no longer able to function successfully in some specified capacityas a journalist, you’re through
(prenominal) (of a route, journey, etc) continuous or unbrokena through train
adverb
through some specified thing, place, or period of time
thoroughly; completely
Also: (informal or poetic) thro’, (informal or poetic) thro, (chiefly US) thru
Word Origin for through
Old English thurh; related to Old Frisian thruch, Old Saxon thuru, Old High German duruh
Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with through
In addition to the idioms beginning with through
- through and through
- through one’s hat
- through one’s head
- through one’s mind
- through rose-colored glasses
- through the mill
- through the motions
- through thick and thin
, see
- break through
- carry through
- come through
- come up (through)
- cross (pass through) one’s mind
- fall between (through) the cracks
- fall through
- follow through
- get through
- get through one’s head
- go through
- go through channels
- go through the motions
- go through the roof
- jump through hoops
- leaf through
- let daylight through
- let slip (through the fingers)
- lie through one’s teeth
- live through
- muddle through
- pay through the nose
- pull through
- put through
- put someone through his or her paces
- rise through the ranks
- run through
- sail through
- see through
- see through rose-colored glasses
- sink through the floor
- sit out (through)
- sleep through
- squeak by (through)
- squeeze through
- talk through one’s hat
- think through
- win through
- work one’s way into (through)
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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Maybe you are in the middle of an exam and suddenly come across a word that makes absolutely no sense. This is usually a cue for most people to panic if a dictionary is not handy. But don’t worry! There are several steps you can take to help you figure out the meaning of a word without a dictionary.
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1
Read the entire sentence. It can be very frustrating to have your reading interrupted by an unknown word. If you are in the middle of an exam or an assignment for school or work, it can also be very stressful. If you can’t reach for a dictionary, take other steps to figure out what the word means.
- Your first step is to go back and re-read the entire sentence. You probably lost track of what your were reading when you stumbled upon the new word.
- Think about the content of the sentence. Do you understand the sentence without using the new word? Or is it incomprehensible?
- Try underlining the unknown word. This will help you separate it from the rest of the sentence.
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2
Identify words you do understand. You can often use other words in the sentence to help you define the unknown word. Think about what else is happening in the sentence. Hopefully, this will help you figure out whether the unknown word is a noun, verb, or adjective.
- For example, maybe you are looking at a sentence that says, «It was a very sultry day in the middle of the summer.» You probably understand each word except for «sultry».
- Think about what you know about the summer. It is likely that «sultry» has something to do with weather.
- Maybe your biology exam has this sentence, «Many members of the canine family are predators, looking for other animals to eat.» You can surmise that «predators» prey on other animals.
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-
3
Look for illustrative examples. Once you have examined the other words in that sentence, you can move on. Start looking at the sentences that follow the unknown word. An author will often give descriptions that can help you figure out the meaning of an unknown word.[1]
- For example, take the sentence, «It was a very sultry day in the middle of summer.» It could be followed by the sentence, «The heat and humidity made it appealing to sit in the shade and drink lemonade.»
- You can now more confidently define «sultry». The descriptive words such as «heat» and «humidity» are further clues that it is a description of the weather.
- Sometimes, the descriptive examples will be right in the original sentence. For example, it could say, «Sultry days are so damp and hot.»
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4
Think logically. Sometimes, the context clues will not be as clear. You will have to use logic to figure out the word. You can also use experience, or prior knowledge, of the topic.[2]
- For example, maybe a sentence says, «In the antebellum South, many plantation owners kept slaves.» It is likely that «antebellum» is the unknown word.
- The sentence itself does not offer many clues. However, the following sentences are, «But after the Civil War, slavery was outlawed. This was a major change between the two periods.»
- Think about what you know now. You are reading information about two different time periods, right? Before the Civil War and after the Civil War.
- You can now make a pretty logical assumption about the word «antebellum». Based on your experience and reading the following sentences, you know it probably means «before the war».
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5
Use other context clues. Sometimes an author will offer other types of clues. Look for restatement. This is where the meaning of the word is restated in other words.
- Here is an example of «restatement»: «The pig squealed in pain. The high-pitched cry was very loud.»
- You can also look for «appositives». This is where an author highlights a specific word by placing a further description between two commas.
- This is an example of the use of an appositive: «The Taj Mahal, which is a massive white marble mausoleum, is one of the most famous landmarks in India.
- You may not know the words «Taj Mahal», but the use of appositives makes it clear that it is a landmark.
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1
Look for a prefix. Etymology is the study of the meanings of words. It also looks at the origins of words, and how they have changed over time. By learning about etymology, you can find new ways to define unknown words without using a dictionary.
- Start by looking at each part of the word in question. It is very helpful to look to see if the word has a common prefix.
- Prefixes are the first part of the word. For example, a common prefix is «anti».
- «Anti» means «against». Knowing this should help you figure out the meanings of words such as «antibiotic» or «antithesis».
- «Extra» is a prefix that means «beyond». Use this to figure out words such as «extraterrestrial» or «extracurricular».
- Other common prefixes are «hyper», «intro», «macro» and «micro». You can also look for prefixes such as «multi», «neo» and «omni».
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2
Pay attention to the suffix. The suffix are the letters at the end of the word. There are several suffixes in the English language that are common. They can help you figure out what kind of word you are looking at.
- Some suffixes indicate a noun. For example, «ee» at the end of the word almost always indicates a noun. Some examples are «trainee» and «employee».
- «-ity» is also a common suffix for a noun. Examples include «electricity» and «velocity».
- Other suffixes indicate verbs. For example, «-ate». This is used in words such as «create» and «deviate».
- «-ize» is another verb suffix. Think about the words «exercise» and «prioritize».
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3
Identify root words. A root word is the core word, without a prefix or suffix. Most words in the English language come from either a Latin or Greek root word.[3]
- By learning common root words, you can begin to identify new words more easily. You will also be able to recognize words that have had a prefix or suffix added.
- An example of a root word is «love». You can add many things to the word: «-ly» to make «lovely».
- «Bio» is a Greek root word. It means «life, or living matter». Think about how we have adapted this root word to become «biology», «biography», or «biodegradable».
- The root word mater- or matri- comes from the Latin word mater, meaning mother. By understanding this root, you can better understand the definitions of words like matron, maternity, matricide, matrimony, and matriarchal.
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1
Keep notes. If you can increase the size of your vocabulary, you will find yourself less likely to encounter unknown words. There are several steps you can take to effectively build your vocabulary. For example, you can start by writing notes.
- Every time you encounter an unfamiliar word, write it down. Then later, when you have access to a dictionary, you can look it up for a precise definition.
- Keep a small pack of sticky notes with you while you read. You can write the unfamiliar word on a note and just stick it on the page to return to later.
- Start carrying a small notebook. You can use it to keep track of words that you don’t know and new words that you have learned.
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2
Utilize multiple resources. There are a lot of tools that you can use to help you build your vocabulary. The most obvious is a dictionary. Purchase a hard copy, or book mark an online dictionary that you find useful.
- A thesaurus can also be very helpful. It will give you synonyms for all of the new words you are learning.
- Try a word of the day calendar. These handle desk tools will give you a new word to learn each day. They are available online and at bookstores.
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3
Read a lot. Reading is one of the best ways to increase the size of your vocabulary. Make it a point to read each day. Both fiction and non-fiction will be helpful.
- Novels can expose you to new words. For example, reading the latest legal thriller will likely expose you to some legal jargon you’ve never heard before.
- Read the newspaper. Some papers even have a daily feature that highlights language and explores the meanings of words.
- Make time to read each day. You could make it a point to scroll through the news while you drink your morning coffee, for example.
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4
Play games. Learning can actually be fun! There are many enjoyable activities that can help you to build your vocabulary. Try doing crossword puzzles.
- Crossword puzzles are a great way to learn new words. They will also stretch your brain by giving you interesting clues to figure out the right word.
- Play Scrabble. You’ll quickly learn that unusual words can often score the most points.
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Add New Question
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Question
Is there a list of prefixes/suffixes, or a simple etymology handbook, that I can obtain from the Internet or someplace else?
I’m sure there are many! Check websites like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or other booksellers who might sell grammar handbooks. You could also try checking your local book stores.
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Question
How does one find out and understand the formation of words?
If you can recognize the prefixes, suffixes, and anything else that might alter the root word, then you’ll know how the root is being altered. For example, ‘amuse’ is made up of ‘a’ as in ‘not’ and ‘muse’ referring to ponderous thought. Even if you don’t recognize the root ‘muse’ because it’s a more archaic term, you know that the ‘a’ inverses it’s meaning.
-
Question
How can I know the exact meaning of a word using dictionaries from many leanings given?
Substitute each meaning into the sentence where you encountered the word, and see which definition makes the most sense within the context of that sentence.
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Keep a notebook. This could be useful if you come across a word that you want to learn later, if you want to list any words that share suffixes or prefixes (both of which are known as «roots», which also include anything that goes into the middle.)
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Read etymology dictionaries. They are found online and presumably in bookstores if you look hard enough.
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Make your own notes in your personal English notebook to remember important points later on.
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References
About This Article
Article SummaryX
To understand a word without a dictionary, try re-reading the entire sentence to see if the context helps you to find out what the word means. If it’s unclear, try to figure it out by thinking about the meaning of the words you’re familiar with, since the unknown word might have a similar meaning. Additionally, look for common prefixes in words, such as «anti,» which means against, or «extra,» which means beyond. Next, check the following sentences for clues, such as the topic the word is related to. Alternatively, keep a list of unknown words so you can check them in a dictionary at a later date. For tips on how to identify root words and how to learn words by doing crossword puzzles, read on!
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Express the spirit of your words by exploring their origins
One of the most creative examples of wordplay I’ve ever seen came straight from some good dictionary research. The story: “The Big No,” Steven Wright’s Esquire piece about the suicide of Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain.
Here’s the kicker:
In Buddhist thought, to be alive is to be immersed in flame — the burning of the senses, the burning of the mind, the burning of desire. There is only one treatment for this painful condition we find ourselves in, this suffering life, and that is to extinguish the fire, to blow it out. From the Sanskrit nir, or out, plus vati, or it blows: nirvana.
The history of ideas is reflected in language. So if you aim to explain ideas, one way is to explain language. That’s why etymology — the study of word history* — is such an effective form of wordplay. Looking into the meanings behind and origins of your key words can give your copy depth and context.
How to write with etymology
In Demon in the Freezer, Richard Preston uses etymology to show the fascinating origins of the word vaccination:
In the late seventeen-hundreds, the English country doctor Edward Jenner noticed that dairymaids who had contracted cowpox from cows seemed to be protected from catching smallpox, and he thought he would do an experiment. Cowpox (it probably lives in rodents, and only occasionally infects cows) produced a mild disease. On May 14, 1796, Jenner scratched the arm of a boy named James Phipps, introducing into the boy’s arm a droplet of cowpox pus that he’d taken from a blister on the hand of a dairy worker named Sarah Nelmes. A few months later, he scratched the boy’s arm with deadly pus he had taken from a smallpox patient, and the boy didn’t come down with smallpox. The boy had become immune. Jenner had discovered what he called vaccination, after the Latin word for cow.
Siddhartha Mukherjee packs The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer with etymological explanations like this one.
The names of ancient illnesses are condensed stories in their own right. Typhus, a stormy disease, with erratic, vaporous fevers, arose from the Greek tuphon, the father of winds — a word that also gives rise to the modern typhoon. Influenza emerged from the Latin influentia because medieval doctors imagined that the cyclical epidemics of flu were influenced by stars and planets revolving toward and away from the earth. Tuberculosis coagulated out of the Latin tuber, referring to the swollen lumps of glands that looked like small vegetables. Lymphatic tuberculosis, TB of the lymph glands, was called scrofula, from the Latin word for piglet, evoking the rather morbid image of a chain of swollen glands arranged in a line like a group of suckling pigs.
The late, great restaurant reviewer Charles Ferruzza described menu items so well that you felt like licking the newsprint. In one column, Ferruzza used etymological research to explain the origins of one entrée’s name:
A couple of visits to the four-month-old Caspian Bistro are a tasty lesson in history, geography and linguistics.
Linguistics? Well, if I hadn’t stuck my fork into a bowl of the slightly bitter beef-and-bean stew known as ghormeh sabzi … I never would have done a little homework on it. That’s how I discovered that ghormeh, the Farsi word for stew, spawned the more modern term gourmet.
That trivia note came from my copy of The Unofficial Guide to Ethnic Cuisine & Dining in America, which suggests that “unsophisticated French Crusaders’ adapted ghormeh to describe the lavish consumption of their Muslim enemies in the Holy Land.”
I don’t know if I’d call the Caspian Bistro a gourmet venue, but it’s definitely a ghormeh heaven …
And Andrew Graham-Dixon used etymology to add additional layers of meaning and context to these three passages from Caravaggio: A Life Sacred and Profane:
The most serious penalty was reserved for Caravaggio. As well as being sentenced to indefinite exile from Rome, he was condemned as a murderer and made subject to a bando capitale, a capital sentence. This meant that anyone in the papal states had the right to kill him with impunity; indeed there was a bounty for anyone who did so. The phrase meant exactly what was indicated by the etymology of its second word, derived from the Latin caput. To claim the reward, it would not be necessary to produce the painter’s body. His severed head would suffice.
How to find the etymology of a word
To perform an etymological study:
1. Research etymological dictionaries.
Here are some to try:
- LibrarySpot Etymology Dictionaries
- Etymologically Speaking
- Google’s “etymology” search results
- Any dictionary of the English language
Or just Google “etymology of [your keyword].”
2. Look up the root words of your topic.
Explore the history and evolution of your keywords. Get the true sense of how these words were born and evolved over time.
3. Work with those words.
Use what you’ve learned to develop more sophisticated wordplay.
As long as you promise to avoid the overused “Webster’s defines quality as yadda, yadda, yadda …,” you can find some terrific material through etymological research.
How can you use etymological research to add layers of context and meaning to your topic?
___
* You may find word origins and development from:
- Latin and French words and other romance languages
- Modern English or Middle English words
- High German and other Germanic languages
- Indo-European languages
- Modern French words and phrases
Studying a word’s etymology is like a trip around the world via the Oxford English dictionary.
-
How can you surprise and delight readers?
Neurologists call it “the pleasure of the text,” the reward readers get from figuring out figurative language. (It can be quite a reward: If your wordplay is funny enough,
your readers’ brains even deliver a little dose of dopamine.)Learn to tap wordplay’s superpowers at Master the Art of Storytelling, our creative-writing workshop starting March 3.
There, you’ll learn to flip phrases; compress details; sub sound-alikes; list, rhyme and twist — even coin new words with free online tools that do the work for you. You’ll get inspired by some of the world’s most creative headlines. And you’ll polish your skills in a wordplay workout, with recipes from anagram to oxymoron.
Save up to $100 with our group discounts.
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your readers’ brains even deliver a little dose of dopamine.)