contemplating

American

[kon-tuhm-pley-ting, -tem-] / ˈkɒn təmˌpleɪ tɪŋ, -tɛm- /

adjective

observing, studying, or thinking deeply about something.

A stronger spirit and sense of purpose help shift the contemplating mind into a more action-orientated self.

noun

the act of observing, studying, or thinking deeply about something.

After some more contemplating over the last few days, I now know what I'm going to do.

Other Word Forms

contemplatingly

adverb

Etymology

Origin of contemplating

First recorded in 1580–90; contemplat(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective; contemplat(e) ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun

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.

Hours before the show’s opening, Baseman was still contemplating what else he could add.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

Increasingly economists are contemplating a scenario where the central bank makes no change to rates.

From Barron's • May 10, 2026

Sapna said Sougat became financially reliant on his parents and in-laws, who had now exhausted their savings and were contemplating selling their homes.

From BBC • May 4, 2026

People contemplating leaving the workforce should consider questions like: What hobbies or interests do they want to nurture?

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

I’d been contemplating the same idea on the ride over.

From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023