consider
Americanverb (used with object)
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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
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to regard as or deem to be.
I consider the story improbable.
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to think, believe, or suppose.
We consider his reply unsatisfactory.
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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.
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to regard with respect, thoughtfulness, honor, etc.; esteem.
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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.
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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
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(may take a clause as object) to judge, deem, or have as an opinion
I consider him a fool
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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
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has been consideringperfect progressive
Past
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consideredsimple
-
had consideredperfect
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was consideringprogressive
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were consideringprogressive
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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
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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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:
“If we consider philosophically the question whether a person with even serious dementia retains their identity,” he wrote, “the answer is that they do.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
I’ve looked into long-term-care insurance, but the premiums are so incredibly expensive, and I worry about what they’ll cost by the time it makes sense for me to seriously consider a policy.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026
The panel could put consider proposals for independent third parties to write safety plans or for companies to develop an emergency shutoff.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026
"It will also be an opportunity to consider options for a possible release or unlocking of strategic reserves."
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
“My business is giving lessons, Admiral. Is that what you mean? As you recall, I only know the sorts of things you consider to be useless: thisonyms and thatonyms.”
From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood
Sara Ah Sing, a 30-year-old multidisciplinary artist in San Diego who considers herself a bunny, is one such illustrator.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026
The same applies for the start of next season as F1 considers its options for an alternative opening schedule if racing in the Middle East looks impossible by the end of this year.
From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026
Dad is in perpetual mourning for a son who died in the first Gulf War and considers John, in comparison, a milquetoasty pencil pusher.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026
She said she was told it has been put on hold while Parliament considers the new law.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026
Like the second theory, this one considers modern Japanese to be slightly modified Koreans but dispenses with the need for large-scale immigration.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
When detected early, however, the condition is considered treatable.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026
“I had never really considered it because I have a low BMI,” Balkey says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
Despite his retirement from the top board post, the change is considered an orderly passing of the baton rather than a sudden shock.
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
The law requires resolutions meant to end a declared emergency to be considered within 15 days.
From Salon ● Sep. 18, 2026
She considered the outdoor market and drive-in stand.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
That is a large number considering that the S&P 500 is only down a couple percentage points from its all-time high.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026
But it’s not just the time necessary for executing—it’s the mental load of considering so many little details, just for the keeping of your own body.
From Slate ● Sep. 18, 2026
Merlin backtracked on the proposal days later following an online petition against it signed by more than 25,000, saying they had listened to the feedback and would pause the changes while considering other options.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026
He was representing a buyer considering a property listed for $379,000 in Jersey City, N.J.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026
Five days earlier I had been wondering where I could find enough money for a bike inner tube and now I was considering how I could expand my business to distribute work and disperse wealth.
From "Lawn Boy" by Gary Paulsen
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.
