walk-through
B2Neutral to formal; common in technical, business, and gaming contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A step-by-step demonstration or explanation of how something works or how to do something.
Can refer to a rehearsal, a guided tour, a detailed written guide (especially for video games), or a preliminary inspection of a property or process.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun. The hyphenated form is standard, though 'walkthrough' is sometimes seen. Implies a methodical, sequential process.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. Spelling preference may slightly favour the hyphen in UK English.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties, with high frequency in IT, training, and property sectors.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
give [someone] a walk-through of [something]do a walk-throughfollow a walk-throughVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Take someone on a walk-through”
- “A walk-through of the basics”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
A meeting where a new process or software is demonstrated to staff.
Academic
A guided analysis of a complex methodology or experiment.
Everyday
Showing a friend how to use a new appliance.
Technical
A detailed guide explaining how to complete a level in a video game or debug a program.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The IT manager will walk us through the new security protocol tomorrow.
American English
- Can you walk me through how to submit the expense report?
adjective
British English
- We offer a walk-through service for all new tenants.
American English
- The game includes a walk-through tutorial for beginners.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher gave us a walk-through of the new classroom rules.
- Before you start, watch the walk-through video on the website.
- The developer provided a detailed walk-through of the code repository for the new team members.
- The contract's complexity necessitated a thorough walk-through by legal counsel before signing.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine literally WALKING THROUGH a process step-by-step with someone guiding you.
Conceptual Metaphor
UNDERSTANDING IS FOLLOWING A PATH (a guided journey through information).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation as 'прогулка через'. Use 'пошаговое руководство', 'демонстрация', or 'экскурсия' depending on context.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He walk-throughed the system'). The verb form is 'walk [someone] through'.
- Confusing it with 'walkthrough' as one word in formal writing.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'walk-through' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'walk-through' is a noun or adjective. The verb form is the phrasal verb 'walk through' (e.g., 'walk someone through something').
A walk-through is typically a sequential demonstration of a specific task or process. A tutorial is broader, often involving teaching and practice, not just demonstration.
For the noun/adjective meaning, 'walk-through' (hyphenated) is the standard form. 'Walkthrough' is an accepted variant, especially in computing. 'Walk through' is the verb phrase.
Yes, it's common in real estate for a final inspection of a property ('final walk-through') or for a guided tour of a facility.