1 (complete) [+examination, search, investigation] riguroso; minucioso; [+training] riguroso; a fondo A thorough [review] is essential before the whole system collapses ...a really thorough [review] of electoral reform The customs officers would probably be more thorough in their [examination] of our baggage You must see your doctor for a thorough [examination] There hasn't been time for a thorough post mortem The vet gave the animals a thorough check-up It was time to give the car a thorough check Samples have already been sent back to earth for thorough [analysis] Her apartment was subjected to a thorough [search] The second [search] was quite thorough The young detective made a thorough [search] but found nothing It is a great credit to this team's organisational skills and thorough [preparation] She is determined to acquire a thorough [training] in science The inquiry was thorough in its investigations The inspectors have concluded, after a thorough [investigation], that there is absolutely no substance in the allegations
[+knowledge, understanding] profundo; sólido Dan wanted him to stay and put his thorough [knowledge] of Tibetan grammar to use Without a thorough [understanding] of the significance of the symbols, it is impossible to interpret a horoscope
to give sth a thorough clean/wash limpiar/lavar algo bien a fondo;or the room needed a thorough clean la habitación necesitaba una buena limpieza una limpieza a fondo;or
give the cups a thorough rinse these jeans need a thorough wash
to have a thorough grounding in sth tener una base sólida en algo
candidates must have a thorough grounding in social sciences to [make] a thorough investigation (of sth) A government spokesman said there would be a thorough [investigation] of the crash We are making a thorough [investigation] and will take the appropriate action the police have made a thorough investigation of the accident
2 (meticulous) [+person, teacher] concienzudo; meticuloso Very thorough rinsing is necessary to remove every trace of the washing product used She's a good teacher. Very thorough He is enormously thorough and full of inspiration It's a close-knit world of thorough professionals who are impressed only with performance
to be thorough in doing sth hacer algo a conciencia; ser meticuloso a la hora de hacer algo
Paynes had been thorough in compiling her dossier on the case
3 (as intensifier) (complete, total) it was a thorough waste of time era una pérdida de tiempo absoluta total;or to make a thorough nuisance of o.s. dar la lata a base de bien; (informal) he made a thorough fool of himself hizo un ridículo espantoso; he gave them a thorough walloping les dio una buena zurra; (informal)
The narrow equatorial belt can rely on a thorough and regular soaking from the annual rains
it's a thorough disgrace es un verdadero escándalo
