consider
Americanverb (used with object)
-
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.
-
Obsolete. to view attentively; scrutinize.
-
Obsolete. to recompense or remunerate.
verb (used without object)
-
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
-
(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
-
(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
-
considersimple
-
considerssimple
-
have consideredperfect
-
has consideredperfect
-
am consideringprogressive
-
are consideringprogressive
-
is consideringprogressive
-
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
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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:
And there is also all the travel-related documentation to consider.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
Given this timeline and our goals, what investment options or strategies might be appropriate for us to consider?
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 3, 2026
“I still consider the game something played by women of older generations,” said Lauren Perlin, co-executive director of Camps Airy and Louise in western Maryland.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026
Candidates could consider moderating their message to attract orphaned voters, though that can be perilous.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026
The scientist is advised to simply repeat “word” back to the speaker and/or to consider the context of the conversation before providing an appropriate response.
From "The First State of Being" by Erin Entrada Kelly
Haeffele considers himself the person that friends and co-workers ask when they have questions about movies and the best format to see them in.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 3, 2026
She said the council already "considers affordability, value for money and evidence before spending public money" and there was no evidence rescinding the declaration would save money or improve services.
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026
He considers his disinterest in gumshoes working on their own a quintessentially Japanese perspective.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026
Food and Drug Administration considers updated rules covering front-of-package nutrition information, healthy product claims and food marketing aimed at children.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 29, 2026
Celia considers the twins for a moment, while Widget tries to figure out where the popcorn bag has gone and Poppet casts thoughtful glances up at the sky.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
Wilson considered the entirety of Homer’s tale and decided the right word for polytropos was “complicated.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
The midfielder has been highly rated at Villa Park for some time and is considered the best of their recent crop of talent to come through the academy.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
Sharing a federal law enforcement officer’s personal information is generally not considered a crime without evidence of criminal intent, a historically high bar in court, according to constitutional scholars and defense attorneys.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026
The team then evaluated how the compounds affected TAOK-1 and assessed whether they had properties considered desirable in potential drugs.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 3, 2026
“The point is,” said Corban with a smile, “we all have to start somewhere, and all things considered, you two did great.”
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
I am considering marrying my girlfriend and have several questions about how it might affect her Social Security and Supplemental Security Income.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 4, 2026
At his peak, Donald recorded 20.5 sacks—an especially remarkable number considering most prolific pass rushers, such as Garrett, come off the edge while Donald primarily played on the interior.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026
The president is reportedly considering pushing Infantino to become the next United Nations secretary-general when António Guterres’ term expires in December.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
The Republic of Ireland is currently considering other measures, external to prevent the spread of the disease.
From BBC ● Aug. 2, 2026
Having a representative there from Iceland, although Saemi wasn’t an official, helped Bobby somewhat to make a credible case that the country was considering asylum.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
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.
