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
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to describe or discuss
in this programme we consider the traffic problem
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(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
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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:
Before any witness can be approached, the commission should consider if "compelling new evidence exists, or the likelihood of a witness being able to provide new information"
From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2026
Yes, they’ve gone up, but the gains have been modest when you consider the huge surge in profits.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2026
It’s that we’ve become so accustomed to conducting ordinary life through our phones that we rarely stop to consider whether they’re necessary to the transaction in the first place.
From Salon ● Oct. 17, 2026
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
Sometimes I reflect upon that day and consider what might have been on his mind.
From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson
Micron’s results are already in the books for what FactSet considers the third quarter.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 18, 2026
The figure helps introduce the exhibition’s exploration of humanity’s relationship to nature; Albuquerque imagines the character as the maker of her landscape projects and considers her an alter ego.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 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
The answer becomes obvious when one considers the differing cultural circumstances of Indonesia’s and New Guinea’s indigenous populations.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
Foma stressed that the GUR suggests the targets to be surveilled, but that he and his team check for themselves that these individuals should be considered military criminals.
From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026
What a heady honor to be considered for and asked to serve your country in a high-profile role.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2026
The team cultivated 25 different species of gut bacteria, including microorganisms considered beneficial, neutral, or potentially harmful.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2026
How much mercury is considered safe to have in your drinking water?
From Slate ● Oct. 18, 2026
He vanished, and I considered making a break for it.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
In Britain, Derek Chisora, 42, is considering another comeback and says he expects to face WBA 'regular' champion Gassiev in December.
From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2026
Two years after considering retirement, Jake Bauers has emerged as the embodiment of Milwaukee’s tenacious approach.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026
Sport student Redi Taku told AFP the move was indeed extreme "considering that there are minors aged 16 to 17 among the protesters".
From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2026
“I bet there’s a lot of people considering it that you don’t know about. You have a lot of people.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
Which was fantastic, considering I’d barely scraped by in that class.
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
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