though meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

though

adv

UK /ðəʊ/ · US /ðoʊ/

Etymology

From Middle English though, thogh, from Old Norse *þóh (later þó). Superseded (in most dialects) Middle English thegh, from Old English þēah (“though, although, even if, that, however, nevertheless, yet, still; whether”). Both the Old Norse and Old English are from Proto-Germanic *þauh (“though”), from Proto-Indo-European *to-, suffixed with Proto-Germanic *-hw < Proto-Indo-European *-kʷe (“and”). Akin to Scots tho (“though”), Saterland Frisian dach (“though”), West Frisian dôch, dochs (“though”), Dutch doch (“though”), German doch (“though”), Danish dog (“though, however”), Swedish dock (“however, still”), Icelandic þó (“though”). More at that.

Conjunctive Despite that; however.

I'm not paid to do all this paperwork for you. I will do it this once, though.
Whether modern, industrial man is less or more warlike than his hunter-gatherer ancestors is impossible to determine.[…]One thing that is true, though, is that murder rates have fallen over the centuries, as policing has spread and the routine carrying of weapons has diminished. Modern society may not have done anything about war. But peace is a lot more peaceful.2013 July 20, “Old soldiers?”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8845:

Used to intensify statements or questions; indeed.

"Man, it's hot in here." — "Isn't it, though?"

Synonyms: all the same, anyhow, anyway, even so, in any case, nevertheless, nonetheless, still, yet

though

conj

Etymology

Despite the fact that; although.

Though it is risky, it is worth taking the chance.
Astute businessman though he was, my brother was capable of extreme recklessness.

2 more examples

Actual perpetrators though they were, the criminals never admitted it in court.
Orion hit a rabbit once; but though sore wounded it got to the bury, and, struggling in, the arrow caught the side of the hole and was drawn out. Indeed, a nail filed sharp is not of much avail as an arrowhead; you must have it barbed, and that was a little beyond our skill.1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], chapter II, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], →OCLC:

Archaic If, that, even if.

We shall be not sorry though the man die tonight.
And hee said vnto him, If they heare not Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be perswaded, though one rose from the dead.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Luke 16:31:

2 more examples

"Though we called your friend from his bed this night, he could not speak for you, / "For the race is run by one and one and never by two and two."1919, Rudyard Kipling, Tomlinson:
Walk on through the wind, / Walk on through the rain, / Though your dreams be tossed and blown.1945, Oscar Hammerstein II, “You’ll Never Walk Alone” (song), in Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, Carousel (musical)

Synonyms: although, even though
Derived terms: although, even though, though but, though I say it who should not, though I say it who should not say it, though I say so myself, welcome-home-husband-though-never-so-drunk, what though