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
-
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
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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
-
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:
Even paying no attention to his sport, I seem to know a lot about him, but I would consider much of his life basic cultural knowledge.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2026
It was not clear how long it would take the high court to consider the case, although even the quickest decisions typically take months.
From Barron's ● Nov. 3, 2026
The brand is offering $500,000 for a consumer-made commercial to run in the 2027 game, and will consider entries whether they use AI or not.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026
The Daily Telegraph leads with a story saying the prime minister "will consider investments in healthcare and education as redress for colonial past" under the headline "Burnham open to slavery payouts".
From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026
I bit my lip, taking an entire second to consider what I was saying before I said it.
From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows
Aneha said that even though she makes good money, she considers herself a “traditional modern woman” who expects her husband to provide for her.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 3, 2026
They support a broader definition that also considers waist measurements and medical conditions associated with excess weight.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 2, 2026
Julia Samaniego, a tribal citizen and ethnobotanist, walked among plants she considers relatives.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2026
Kigali considers it a security threat and cites its presence in eastern DR Congo to justify its military posture.
From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026
While everyone considers the plan, Boggs flips through a stack of blueprints of the Nut and frowns.
From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
When asked about the rumours, he said: "It's an incredibly bizarre pinch me moment...even being uttered in that same sentence and being considered for something like that."
From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026
One is the share of households whose estimated debt payments on mortgages, car payments, credit cards, etc. exceed 40% of their income, considered a high burden.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 3, 2026
There are roughly 17,000 FDEs in the country, but only around 2,000 of them are considered elite, Christian & Timbers found.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026
Nearly 6 out of 10 renters in L.A. are cost-burdened, and polls show a majority of L.A. voters have considered leaving the city because housing is so expensive.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2026
She peered out to sea and down at her map, and her squirrel face considered it.
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
Potential Dodgers bidders, including Times owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, are considering offers should Walter decide to sell.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2026
Attorney General Todd Blanche told reporters late last month that the department was considering additional actions, saying there were “a number of states that we’re looking at.”
From Salon ● Nov. 3, 2026
Anthropic hasn’t finalized a valuation target and is also still considering how many shares it plans to sell.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026
Monday’s filing comes as Anthropic gets close to its pre-IPO roadshow, when it will make its pitch to investors considering participation in the initial public offering.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 2, 2026
It’s not something she hasn’t told me before, something that I haven’t spent a lot of time considering.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
