How to pronounce through
Say it like THROO. Through is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- THROO
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: Rhymes with true. The gh is silent.
Through pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- THROOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of through
American and British speakers say through in essentially the same way: /θru/ in the US and /θruː/ in the UK.
British respelling: THROO.
What does through mean?
- So as to enter (something), pass within or across, and then leave.“I drove through Lausanne on my way from Geneva to Zurich.”
- So as to progress within (something) or towards the end or limit of (something).“The virus broke out in the capital city and is now spreading quickly through the country.”
- From one side of (an opening) to the other.“Go straight ahead and through that door.”
- Passing from one side of something to the other.“Interstate highways form a nationwide system of through roads.”
- Finished; complete.“They were through with laying the subroof by noon.”
- Along the course of a task etc.; used in expressions of progress towards the end.“It's a big job but we're halfway through.”
- By way of the interior.“The arrow went straight through.”
- By way of an opening.“I opened the window and climbed through.”
- So as to overcome an obstacle and pass beyond it; past.“The road is blocked by an overturned truck, and cars can't pass through.”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- done
- through with
Words that rhyme with through
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of through.
Words that sound like through
- threw
- thru
Questions about saying through
How do you pronounce through?
Say THROO. The American pronunciation is /θru/. In British English it is /θruː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in through?
Through is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: THROO.
Do Americans and Brits say through the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /θru/ and the British form is /θruː/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as through?
Through sounds the same as threw, thru in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.