Thorough vs. complete: what’s the difference?
The short answer
Thorough often implies great attention to detail or meticulousness, ensuring that every aspect has been carefully considered. Complete, on the other hand, signifies that something is whole or finished, meaning nothing is missing or lacking in terms of its fundamental components.
What they have in common
Both thorough and complete describe a sense of wholeness or fully addressing something. They can be used to indicate that nothing has been missed or left out.
Examples
thorough
- She conducted a thorough investigation of the case.
- His report was extremely thorough and left no questions unanswered.
- The thorough cleaning of the house took all day.
complete
- The project is complete and ready for submission.
- Once you receive your diploma, your education will be complete.
- The complete series of the books is now available for purchase.
Which one is more common?
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