musing

American  

[myoo-zing] / ˈmyu zɪŋ /

adjective

1. absorbed in thought; meditative.

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noun

1. contemplation; reflection.

Other Word Forms

• musingly
  adverb
• unmusing
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of musing

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; see muse, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Explanation

Use the adjective musing to describe something that's reflective or thoughtful, like a musing diary entry that explores the meaning of life. When you ponder or contemplate, you muse, and anything that appears this way can be described as musing. You might love your English teacher's musing responses to students' questions or grow bored by a French film's slow, musing quality. You can also use the word as a noun meaning "period of reflection," although it's most often written as the plural musings: "This book is nothing but the author's musings about his cat."

Example Sentences

Musing on the images, he said, “There is an innocence to them,” adding, “I think it was a lot more fun than it was. We worked probably 360 days out of the year.”

From New York Times • Feb. 9, 2024

Musing on why some pizza isn't great for our waist lines, he writes "the only question is whether it is an ultra-processed food".

From Salon • Jan. 16, 2024

Musing his program’s position in relation to the best of the best.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2023

Musing that “I really don’t think he’s that stupid,” she said he knows how immunity works and why people need flu shots and tetanus boosters.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 9, 2021

Musing, lost in the scene, I did not notice that the dogs were slowing and had stopped until my stomach rammed into the handlebar of the sled.

From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen