thoroughness
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /θˈʌrənəs/
US
- /ˈθɜroʊnəs/
Description
- careful attention to detail
- completeness
- doing something fully
It is not just about doing something; it is about how you do it. Imagine a detective at a crime scene. They do not just look around quickly; they check every part, looking for clues other people might miss. That kind of care means doing a job fully and carefully. It means being complete and accurate in your work, whether you are cleaning your room, writing a report, or planning a trip. When this care is missing, mistakes can happen. When it is present, the result is often better and more reliable. Think of a baker carefully measuring each ingredient. That is what this word looks like in action.
Thoroughness describes the quality of being complete, careful, and diligent in your work or approach. It is more than just finishing a task; it means making sure every part of it is handled with close attention to detail.
Think of an architect designing a building. They do not simply sketch a basic shape. They think about strength, materials, safety rules, appearance, and many other factors. That complete and careful approach shows thoroughness. It suggests a real effort to be accurate and complete, going beyond the minimum requirement.
You might say someone shows "thoroughness in their research," meaning they have explored all the important sources and considered different points of view. Or you could describe a cleaning job as "done with thoroughness," meaning every surface has been cleaned properly.
However, thoroughness is not always about time; it is about quality. A quick but thorough investigation may be more useful than a slow but shallow one. It is often valued in professions that require precision and accuracy, such as medicine, law, accounting, or scientific research. A doctor showing thoroughness will ask detailed questions to reach an accurate diagnosis.
Ultimately, thoroughness is about taking pride in your work and trying to do it well without missing important details. It is the difference between simply getting it done and getting it done right.
Examples
- 1
Household cleaning
She cleaned the kitchen with her usual thoroughness before the guests arrived.
- 2
Research quality
The teacher praised the thoroughness of his research.
- 3
Detailed answer
I appreciate the thoroughness of your answer, but I only need the main points right now.
- 4
Careful planning
Their thoroughness in planning the move saved them a lot of stress later.
- 5
Work standards
In this job, speed matters, but not at the expense of thoroughness.
Phrase
at the expense of
by losing or giving up something else
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- thoroughnessnoun