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contemplate

[ kon-tuhm-pleyt, -tem- ]
/ ˈkɒn təmˌpleɪt, -tɛm- /
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See synonyms for: contemplate / contemplated / contemplates / contemplating on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), con·tem·plat·ed, con·tem·plat·ing.
to look at or view with continued attention; observe or study thoughtfully: to contemplate the stars.
to consider thoroughly; think fully or deeply about: to contemplate a difficult problem.
to have as a purpose; intend: The District Attorney's office does not contemplate any charges.
to have in view as a future event: to contemplate buying a new car.
verb (used without object), con·tem·plat·ed, con·tem·plat·ing.
to think studiously; consider deliberately; meditate.

OTHER WORDS FOR contemplate

1 gaze at, behold, regard, survey.
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Origin of contemplate

First recorded in 1585–95; from Latin contemplātus, past participle of contemplāre, contemplārī “to survey, observe,” equivalent to con- “with, together” + templ(um) “space marked off for augural observation” + -ātus past participle suffix; see origin at con-, temple1, -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM contemplate

con·tem·pla·tor, nounpre·con·tem·plate, verb, pre·con·tem·plat·ed, pre·con·tem·plat·ing.re·con·tem·plate, verb, re·con·tem·plat·ed, re·con·tem·plat·ing.un·con·tem·plat·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use contemplate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for contemplate

contemplate
/ (ˈkɒntɛmˌpleɪt, -təm-) /

verb (mainly tr)
to think about intently and at length; consider calmly
(intr) to think intently and at length, esp for spiritual reasons; meditate
to look at thoughtfully; observe pensively
to have in mind as a possibilityto contemplate changing jobs

Derived forms of contemplate

contemplator, noun

Word Origin for contemplate

C16: from Latin contemplāre, from templum temple 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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