noun

thoroughness

/ˈθʌrəwɪtnəs/ · say it: THUR·uh·wuhs·nis

completeness and attention to detail

In Nuance & Precision

In more detail

the quality of being very careful to do things completely and in detail; the fact of being thorough

Examples

The thoroughness of her research impressed the professor.
We appreciate the thoroughness of the police investigation.

How to use thoroughness

Thoroughness denotes a quality of being meticulous and complete in one's work or approach, often used positively to describe someone's professionalism or dedication. It is commonly found in formal contexts such as academic, professional, or technical settings, and can refer to either a person's character trait or the manner in which a task is executed.

Common phrases

admirable thoroughness
remarkable thoroughness
with thoroughness
lack of thoroughness
demonstrate thoroughness

Synonyms

meticulousness · carefulness · attention to detail · scrupulousness · diligence

Opposites

carelessness · negligence · sloppiness

Word family

thorough (adjective) · thoroughly (adverb) · thoroughness (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use 'thoroughness' as a countable noun (e.g., 'a thoroughness') when it is always uncountable; say 'with great thoroughness' rather than 'a great thoroughness.'

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