thresh|old /θre ʃhoʊld/ (thresholds )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The threshold of a building or room is the floor in the doorway, or the doorway itself. □ [+ of ] He stopped at the threshold of the bedroom.
2 N‑COUNT [n N ] A threshold is an amount, level, or limit on a scale. When the threshold is reached, something else happens or changes. □ [+ of ] She has a low threshold of boredom and needs the constant stimulation of physical activity. □ Fewer than forty per cent voted–the threshold for results to be valid.
3 PHRASE If you are on the threshold of something exciting or new, you are about to experience it. □ We are on the threshold of a new era in astronomy.
threw /θruː / Threw is the past tense of throw .
thrice /θra I s/
1 ADV [ADV with v, ADV adv, ADV n] Something that happens thrice happens three times. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ They should think not twice, but thrice, before ignoring such advice. □ She plays tennis thrice weekly.
2 ADV [ADV n] You can use thrice to indicate that something is three times the size, value, or intensity of something else. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ …moving at thrice the speed of sound.
thrift /θr I ft/ (thrifts )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Thrift is the quality and practice of being careful with money and not wasting things. [APPROVAL ] □ They were rightly praised for their thrift and enterprise.
2 N‑COUNT A thrift or a thrift institution is a kind of savings bank. [AM , BUSINESS ]
thri ft shop (thrift shops ) N‑COUNT A thrift shop or thrift store is a shop that sells used goods cheaply and gives its profits to a charity. [AM ] in BRIT, use charity shop
thrifty /θr I fti/ (thriftier , thriftiest ) ADJ If you say that someone is thrifty , you are praising them for saving money, not buying unnecessary things, and not wasting things. [APPROVAL ] □ My mother taught me to be thrifty. □ …thrifty shoppers.
thrill /θr I l/ (thrills , thrilling , thrilled )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If something gives you a thrill , it gives you a sudden feeling of great excitement, pleasure, or fear. □ [+ of ] I can remember the thrill of not knowing what I would get on Christmas morning. □ [+ for ] It's a great thrill for a cricket-lover like me to play at the home of cricket.
2 VERB If something thrills you, or if you thrill at it, it gives you a feeling of great pleasure and excitement. □ [V n] The electric atmosphere both terrified and thrilled him. □ [V + at/to ] The children will thrill at all their favourite characters.
3 → see also thrilled , thrilling
4 PHRASE If you refer to thrills and spills , you are referring to an experience which is exciting and full of surprises. □ Its prime audience lies in the 17 to 24 age group, and they want instant thrills and spills.
thrilled /θr I ld/
1 ADJ [v-link ADJ , oft ADJ to-inf, ADJ that] If someone is thrilled , they are extremely pleased about something. □ I was so thrilled to get a good report from him. □ [+ with ] Sue and John were especially thrilled with this award.
2 PHRASE If you say that someone is thrilled to bits , you are emphasizing the fact that they are extremely pleased about something. You can also say thrilled to pieces , especially in American English. [EMPHASIS ] □ I'm thrilled to bits to have won the cash. [Also + at/with ]
3 → see also thrill
thrill|er /θr I lə r / (thrillers ) N‑COUNT A thriller is a book, film, or play that tells an exciting fictional story about something such as criminal activities or spying. □ …a tense psychological thriller.
thrill|ing /θr I l I ŋ/
1 ADJ Something that is thrilling is very exciting and enjoyable. □ Our wildlife trips offer a thrilling encounter with wildlife in its natural state. ● thrill|ing|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] □ Watson has a wonderful voice, with thrillingly clear top notes.
2 → see also thrill
thrive /θra I v/ (thrives , thriving , thrived )
1 VERB If someone or something thrives , they do well and are successful, healthy, or strong. □ [V ] Today his company continues to thrive. □ [V -ing] …the river's thriving population of kingfishers.
2 VERB If you say that someone thrives on a particular situation, you mean that they enjoy it or that they can deal with it very well, especially when other people find it unpleasant or difficult. □ [V + on ] Many people thrive on a stressful lifestyle.
thro' also thro Thro' is sometimes used as a written abbreviation for through .
throat ◆◇◇ /θroʊ t/ (throats )
1 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Your throat is the back of your mouth and the top part of the tubes that go down into your stomach and your lungs. □ She had a sore throat. □ As she stared at him, she felt her throat go dry.
2 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Your throat is the front part of your neck. □ His striped tie was loosened at his throat.