thinking
Americanadjective
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rational; reasoning.
People are thinking animals.
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thoughtful; reflective.
Any thinking person would reject that plan.
noun
noun
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opinion or judgment
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the process of thought
adjective
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(prenominal) using or capable of using intelligent thought
thinking people
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to ponder a matter or problem
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of thinking
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English thenking (noun); see think 1, -ing 2, -ing 1
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.
"Politics was all around me," ap Iorwerth told the BBC's Political Thinking podcast, recalling how, as a toddler, he would amuse himself by piling up Plaid Cymru leaflets.
From BBC • May 8, 2026
Portland, Ore.-based Emek was already dubbed “The Thinking Man’s Poster Artist” by punk icon Henry Rollins years before he became Coachella’s resident illustrator in 2007.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026
"Thinking about the origins of biology on another planet was like, whoa. Not sure how I'm going to do this."
From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026
"Thinking that you can do it without the parents is the biggest mistake you can make."
From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026
Thinking maybe I was just imagining things, I asked, “Grandpa, how much is the pony going to cost me?”
From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
