How to spell thorough
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
thorough
T-H-O-R-O-U-G-H
The part to watch: th + o + rough. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Thorough sounds like "thur-uh". The end is spelt ough, and there is an o after th. Do not mix it up with through or though.
Thorough is one of the words on the Year 5 and 6 list with the letters ough or augh. The letters ough make at least five different sounds, and augh often says "or". Learn these words by sight, as a family.
Common mistakes with thorough
- Wrong: thuroughRight: thorough
- Wrong: thouroughRight: thorough
- Wrong: thoroghRight: thorough
A way to remember it
A thorough job leaves nothing rough: th + o + rough.
Thorough in syllables
thor · ough
Thorough has 2 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
Give the car a thorough wash, inside and out.
Thorough on the statutory list
Thorough is on the Year 5 and 6 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England. Children are taught these words in Years 5 and 6, when they are 9 to 11.
Test yourself
A short spelling test that starts with thorough, then nine more words from the Year 5 and 6 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words
Questions parents ask
What is the difference between thorough and through?
Thorough means careful and complete: "a thorough search". Through means in one side and out of the other: "through the tunnel". Thorough has an extra o after th.
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