Thoroughfare: meaning, definitions and examples
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thoroughfare
[ ΛΞΈΚrΙΛfeΙr ]
busy street
A thoroughfare is a busy street or road that leads from one place to another, often in a city or town. It is a main route for traffic, pedestrians, and vehicles.
Synonyms
avenue, boulevard, road, street.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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thoroughfare |
Used to describe a main road or public highway that carries a lot of traffic. It implies a busy and important route.
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street |
Common term for a road in a city or town. It is the most general and widely used among the terms, often associated with residential or business areas.
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road |
General term for any pathway for vehicles. It can be used in rural or urban settings and doesn't carry any specific connotation about size or importance.
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avenue |
A wide street in a city or town, typically lined with trees. Often used in names of streets and suggests a more urban setting.
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boulevard |
A wide, usually tree-lined street in a city. Suggests a grand and often scenic roadway. Used frequently in names of streets to give a prestigious or elegant impression.
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Examples of usage
- The main thoroughfare through the city was lined with shops and cafes.
- The accident caused a traffic jam on the busy thoroughfare.
passageway
In architecture, a thoroughfare refers to a passage or corridor that allows movement from one area to another. It can be indoors or outdoors and is designed for easy access.
Synonyms
aisle, corridor, passage, walkway.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
thoroughfare |
Used to describe a main road or public street that is significant for traffic or commerce.
|
passage |
Refers to a narrow way of travel between two places, which can be inside a building or outdoors. Slightly more formal and versatile than 'hallway' or 'corridor'.
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corridor |
Commonly used in buildings such as schools, hospitals, or offices to describe a long passage with doors leading to rooms on either side.
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walkway |
Usually describes a path or a route for walking, not specifically designed for vehicles, often found in parks, campuses, or between buildings.
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aisle |
Typically found in settings like supermarkets, theaters, airplanes, or churches, an aisle refers to a narrow passage between rows of seats or shelves.
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Examples of usage
- The hotel lobby had a spacious thoroughfare leading to the conference rooms.
- The park had several beautiful thoroughfares for visitors to explore.
Etymology
The word 'thoroughfare' originated in the late 15th century from the combination of 'thorough' meaning 'complete' or 'through' and 'fare' meaning 'journey' or 'travel'. It originally referred to a passage or way through which travelers could complete their journey. Over time, the term evolved to describe busy streets or roads that facilitate movement and transportation in urban areas.
See also: thoroughbred, thoroughgoingness, thoroughly, thoroughness.
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #17,230, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.
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- 17227 usurpation
- 17228 overpowering
- 17229 pompous
- 17230 thoroughfare
- 17231 fainting
- 17232 sampler
- 17233 misconceptions
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