Though Definition & Meaning

American

British

More Idioms

Commonly Confused

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms though American [thoh] / ðoʊ /

conjunction

1. (used in introducing a subordinate clause, which is often marked by ellipsis) notwithstanding that; in spite of the fact that; although.

   Though he tried very hard, he failed the course.

2. even if; granting that (often preceded byeven ).

adverb

1. for all that; however.

idioms

1. as though, as if.

   It seems as though the place is deserted.

though British / ðəʊ /

conjunction

1. (sometimes preceded by even) despite the fact that

   though he tries hard, he always fails

   poor though she is, her life is happy

2. as if

   he looked as though he'd seen a ghost

"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

adverb

1. nevertheless; however

   he can't dance: he sings well, though

"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 though More Idioms

1. see as if (though).

Commonly Confused

Among some conservatives there is a traditional objection to the use of though in place of although as a conjunction. However, the latter (earlier all though ) was originally an emphatic form of the former, and there is nothing in contemporary English usage to justify such a distinction.

Etymology

Origin of though

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English thoh, from Old Norse thō; replacing Old English thēah; cognate with German doch, Gothic thauh

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

On Friday, US and Iranian officials held talks, though expectations remain low.

From BBC

As bitcoin and other popular tokens touched record highs, it seemed as though the market’s best days always lay ahead.

From The Wall Street Journal

Queen's University Belfast has broken its ties with the senator, though "no findings of wrongdoing...have been made", who served as the university's chancellor from 1999 to 2009.

From BBC

It has recently faced legal challenges regarding alleged breaches of Russian sanctions, though it strongly contests these accusations.

From BBC

The Cboe Volatility Index or VIX—the market’s “fear gauge”—has spiked, though it’s still low compared with last April’s “Liberation Day” panic.

From Barron's

Related Words

• although
• even if
• even though
• yet

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.