lost in thought

Idioms and Phrases

Concentrating on or pondering over something. For example, Gwen didn't hear a word you said; she was lost in thought .

Related Words

• analytical
• attentive
• cerebral
• earnest
• melancholy
• pensive
• rational
• reasonable
• reflective
• serious
• sober
• studious
• wise

More About Lost In Thought

What does lost in thought mean?

Lost in thought is a phrase that means to be thinking about something really hard, as in Ben was lost in thought as he considered his options. 

Often, the phrase lost in thought is used to describe someone who is concentrating so hard on their own thoughts that they lose track of their surroundings, as in or I didn’t hear the phone ring because I was so lost in thought.

Example: I was so lost in thought as I strolled down the street that I accidentally walked into a stop sign.

Where does lost in thought come from?

The first records of the phrase lost in thought come from around 1681. It combines the words lost, in the sense of preoccupied or engrossed by something, and thought, meaning mental activity or the forming of ideas. When you are lost in thought, you are so focused on your own thoughts that you have become figuratively lost and aren’t paying attention to anything else.

You don’t have to be thinking about important things, like what career you would be suited for, to be lost in thought. You can be lost in thought about ordinary things, like what to have for lunch. (We like pizza for lunch.)

Did you know … ?

What are some synonyms for lost in thought?

• absorbed
• distracted
• daydreaming
• withdrawn

What are some words that share a root or word element with lost in thought? 

• lost
• thought

What are some words that often get used in discussing lost in thought?

• think
• ponder
• listening

How is lost in thought used in real life?

Lost in thought is a common phrase used to describe a person who is completely absorbed by their own pondering.

Getting constantly lost in thought at work and then ending up in a part of the store that has nothing to do with what I'm working on is a great way to be productive.

— ❄🔥Metafron🔥❄ (@MetaFlaelli) June 7, 2021

4yo was unusually quiet this afternoon. He sat alone at the dining room table & seemed lost in thought for some time.

Finally, he slowly looked up & calmly said, “Clowns are evil.”

— Sheril R. Kirshenbaum (@Sheril_) March 14, 2021

Anyone ever get so lost in thought they mow part of their neighbors front yard 😬🤦🏼‍♀️

— ekhwanders (@ekhwanders) June 5, 2021

Try using lost in thought!

Is lost in thought used correctly in the following sentence?

Trying to decide which city to visit next, Nicole was lost in thought as she sat at the counter.