consider
Americanverb (used with object)
-
considers,
present (3rd person singular)
-
considered,
past participle, past
-
considering
present participle
-
to think carefully about, especially in order to make a decision; contemplate; reflect on.
He considered the cost before buying the new car.
- Synonyms:
- weigh, deliberate, ponder
-
to regard as or deem to be.
I consider the story improbable.
-
to think, believe, or suppose.
We consider his reply unsatisfactory.
-
to bear in mind; make allowance for.
The arrest was justified if you consider his disorderly behavior.
-
to pay attention to; regard.
He considered the man for some time before speaking to him.
-
to regard with respect, thoughtfulness, honor, etc.; esteem.
-
to think about (something that one might do, accept, buy, etc.).
to consider a job in Guatemala.
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Obsolete. to view attentively; scrutinize.
-
Obsolete. to recompense or remunerate.
verb (used without object)
-
considers,
present (3rd person singular)
-
considered,
past participle, past
-
considering
present participle
-
to think deliberately or carefully; reflect.
-
to view carefully or thoughtfully.
verb
-
(also intr) to think carefully about or ponder on (a problem, decision, etc); contemplate
-
(may take a clause as object) to judge, deem, or have as an opinion
I consider him a fool
-
to have regard for; respect
consider your mother's feelings
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to look at; regard
he considered her face
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(may take a clause as object) to bear in mind as possible or acceptable
when buying a car consider this make
-
to describe or discuss
in this programme we consider the traffic problem
-
(may take a clause as object) to keep in mind and make allowances (for)
consider his childhood
Usage
What is a basic definition of consider? Consider means to think carefully about something, to deem one thing as being another, or to believe something. Consider has several other senses as a verb. When you are considering something, you are thinking very hard and very seriously about it, especially when you have to make a decision. The act of considering or something that is considered is called consideration.
- Real-life examples: An investor considers how risky a business is before giving money to it. Hollywood casting agencies consider many different actors and actresses for roles before choosing people. You might consider whether studying for tests will improve your grades (spoiler alert: it will).
- Used in a sentence: I didn’t consider my friend’s peanut allergy when deciding where we should eat lunch.
- Real-life examples: The Beatles are considered both a rock band and a pop group by most people. Black is not considered an appropriate color for a wedding dress. Almost everyone considers not saying “please” and “thank you” to be rude behavior.
- Used in a sentence: I don’t consider a hot dog a sandwich.
- Used in a sentence: My teacher considered my essay to be too short and made me write it again.
Synonym Usage
See study.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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considersimple
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considerssimple
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have consideredperfect
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has consideredperfect
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am consideringprogressive
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are consideringprogressive
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is consideringprogressive
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have been consideringperfect progressive
-
has been consideringperfect progressive
Past
-
consideredsimple
-
had consideredperfect
-
was consideringprogressive
-
were consideringprogressive
-
had been consideringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of consider
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English consideren (from Anglo-French ) from Latin consīderāre “to examine,” equivalent to con- con- + sīder- (stem of sīdus ) “star-group, sky” ( see sidereal) + -āre infinitive suffix
Explanation
Consider is a verb that simply means to think about, look at, or judge. Consider, for a moment, the perks of house sitting for your pool-owning neighbors before you immediately refuse their request. Coming to us from the Latin word considerare, meaning “to look at closely" or "observe,” consider is a very common word that describes something you likely do multiple times a day: You probably consider what to wear in the morning, weigh your options for lunch, take into account the weather when deciding to grab your umbrella. Your life is full of consideration and you didn't even know it!
Vocabulary lists containing consider
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
This plane theory had first come from an X account called “TickleTexts,” who did not seem to consider that the Austin City Limits festival draws visitors from all over the country.
From Slate ● Oct. 16, 2026
"If City can demonstrate the Commission fundamentally misunderstood the emails, failed to consider their proper context or reached conclusions inconsistent with other contemporaneous documents, that could amount to a material factual error," Severin added.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
Will this new adaptation win the hearts of those who consider the 1995 film a sacred text?
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
If Peacock’s huge selection of scary movies, from Universal classics to Blumhouse additions, is the reason you subscribe, then consider Shudder.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
Actually, Alice would probably consider it just a natural fact, like “The earth is round,” “The sky is blue,” “Alice Wendleken is important.”
From "The Best School Year Ever" by Barbara Robinson
USC considers SAT and ACT scores if applicants submit them but does not require them.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
Campbell received permission from the procedure committee -- which considers protocol in the Lords, whose origins date back to the 11th century -- to use the technology.
From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2026
She considers the kits “the sparkle on top of the core offering.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026
Aamir acknowledges that Jordan's battle with his eating disorder is not a linear journey, but their close working relationship has reached the stage where he now considers him family.
From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026
And I shall reproach any prince who, trusting in fortresses, considers the hatred of the people to be of little importance.
From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli
Under the Swiss-based company's system, readings of 151-200 are considered unhealthy, 201-300 very unhealthy and above 300 hazardous.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
A possible match was sent to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, but it wasn’t considered close enough to be a compelling match, Rouse said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
And here’s one rarely considered thought: What am I going to do about my mailing address and phone number?
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
Still, a back-to-back interest-rate hike by the Federal Reserve later this month is considered unlikely.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
I had considered going back to the trolls, thinking they might be able to protect me from my own magic.
From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff
For Mikhail and Dasha, the threat of deportation comes as more Russians may be considering leaving.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
Reports that the U.S. is considering easing some tanker sanctions in a bid to bring down freight prices is helping lift U.S. crude, which has farther to travel to European markets.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
I put a lot of time into really considering the translation.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026
“The market appears to be reading the Anthropic update as negative, which is understandable considering how on-edge the market has been anyway about the AI trade,” D.A.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 15, 2026
Maggie, considering herself a widow, dressed in mourning clothes and honored Elisha’s memory in every way.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
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