ponder

[ pon-der ]
See synonyms for: ponderponderedpondering on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)
  1. to consider something deeply and thoroughly; meditate (often followed by over or upon).

verb (used with object)
  1. to weigh carefully in the mind; consider thoughtfully: He pondered his next words thoroughly.

Origin of ponder

1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English pondren, from Middle French ponderer, from Latin ponderāre “to weigh, reflect on,” derivative of pondus “weight”; akin to pendēre “to be suspended, hang” (see pend)

Other words for ponder

Other words from ponder

  • pon·der·er, noun
  • re·pon·der, verb (used without object)
  • un·pon·dered, adjective
  • well-pondered, adjective

Words Nearby ponder

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use ponder in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ponder

ponder

/ (ˈpɒndə) /


verb
  1. (when intr, sometimes foll by on or over) to give thorough or deep consideration (to); meditate (upon)

Origin of ponder

1
C14: from Old French ponderer, from Latin ponderāre to weigh, consider, from pondus weight; related to pendere to weigh

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012