contemplate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to look at or view with continued attention; observe or study thoughtfully.
to contemplate the stars.
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to consider thoroughly; think fully or deeply about.
to contemplate a difficult problem.
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to have as a purpose; intend.
The District Attorney's office does not contemplate any charges.
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to have in view as a future event.
to contemplate buying a new car.
verb (used without object)
verb
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to think about intently and at length; consider calmly
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(intr) to think intently and at length, esp for spiritual reasons; meditate
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to look at thoughtfully; observe pensively
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to have in mind as a possibility
to contemplate changing jobs
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have contemplatedperfect
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has contemplatedperfect 3rd person singular
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am contemplatingprogressive 1st person singular
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have been contemplatingperfect progressive
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are contemplatingprogressive
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is contemplatingprogressive 3rd person singular
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has been contemplatingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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contemplatingparticiple
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contemplatessingular 3rd person
Past
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had contemplatedperfect
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were contemplatingprogressive plural
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was contemplatingprogressive singular
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had been contemplatingperfect progressive
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contemplatedsimple
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contemplatedparticiple
Future
Etymology
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-, temple 1, -ate 1
Explanation
Before you accept a job offer, or a college's offer of admission, you should take time to contemplate the pros and cons of your decision. If you contemplate something, you think about it carefully. Contemplate is from Latin contemplatus, past participle of contemplari "to gaze attentively, observe," from the prefix com- "together" plus templum "temple." The original meaning of Latin contemplari was "to mark out a space for observing auguries or omens," and the temple was a holy space reserved for this purpose.
Vocabulary lists containing contemplate
Of Mice and Men
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List 5
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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
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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.
“The thought that leads me to contemplate with dread the erasure of other voices, of unwritten novels, poems whispered or swallowed for fear of being overheard — that thought is a nightmare,” she said.
From Salon • May 31, 2026
Seriously, though, sad as I am to contemplate life without “Hacks,” I am equally thrilled that the show so thoroughly stuck its landing.
From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026
But some things stay the same and, as they contemplate entering a third decade in power, it is SNP politicians and their supporters who are celebrating this weekend.
From BBC • May 9, 2026
People are stuck in heightened emotional states that block the slow, calm thought needed to contemplate difficult issues.
From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026
I couldn’t even contemplate the possibility that she might have left me behind.
From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler
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.
