contemplate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
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)
verb
-
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 possibility
to contemplate changing jobs
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
contemplatesimple
-
contemplatessimple
-
have contemplatedperfect
-
has contemplatedperfect
-
am contemplatingprogressive
-
are contemplatingprogressive
-
is contemplatingprogressive
-
have been contemplatingperfect progressive
-
has been contemplatingperfect progressive
Past
-
contemplatedsimple
-
had contemplatedperfect
-
was contemplatingprogressive
-
were contemplatingprogressive
-
had been contemplatingperfect progressive
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
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!
List 5
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!
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
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:
But no one at the club will want to contemplate such a thought.
From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026
Dahlia Lithwick: The decision in Slaughter will have knock-on effects that most people probably haven’t even begun to contemplate.
From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2026
He added that the department’s position is the state’s Administrative Procedure Act does not contemplate the commissioner or department staff authorizing intervention requests in the case.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026
They were some 40 leading thinkers in economics, technology and public policy, and they had come to the Peterson Institute for International Economics to contemplate a vision of U.S. society in 2030.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 13, 2026
As I contemplate what to do, I realize with considerable panic that there’s another one behind me.
From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak
Meanwhile, Sam Adams contemplates the film’s ending, arguing that Nolan’s final plot twist changes the meaning of the whole story.
From Slate ● Jul. 20, 2026
“Rather than treating disparate impact as an evidentiary mechanism to smoke out intentional discrimination,” the EEOC’s historical approach contemplates “liability based on disproportionately adverse effects alone,” the OLC opinion explains.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 16, 2026
Yu Darvish will miss the season after undergoing elbow surgery, and is on the restricted list while he contemplates his future.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 30, 2026
The film boldly contemplates the atmosphere of Brontë’s novel with both a straight face and a sense of humor.
From Salon ● Feb. 14, 2026
He contemplates the “bond that never lets go of us, not even when we suffer the most, the bond of God’s love.”
From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman
The couple anxiously contemplated the request before agreeing to lend Barnes £10,000, after he promised it would be repaid within a week.
From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026
Nike last week said its results would get a lift from tariff refunds that were “not contemplated in the company’s previously provided guidance.”
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 30, 2026
His unfiltered thoughts came as he contemplated pushing Musk out and the financial windfall that might come.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 19, 2026
Michelle has also contemplated returning her husband’s body to Michoacán, to be with his younger brother, who died at 7 due to heart problems, whom he often spoke of missing terribly.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 8, 2026
Her mind had contemplated it and rejected it with an intensity that left her nauseated.
From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov
This man, meanwhile, is contemplating waiting so that his wife will get a higher amount through survivor benefits in the event he dies before she does.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 20, 2026
Lionel Messi, at 39, remains Argentina's leader and inspiration, still capable of producing the magic that has this proud and passionate football country contemplating a repeat of their World Cup win four years ago.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026
As Tarps Off started generating headlines, the Cardinals naturally began contemplating ways they could capitalize.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 21, 2026
On this late May evening, the 15 men gathered there were contemplating tackling something few had previously had the courage or skill to take on.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2026
The pale young gentleman and I stood contemplating one another in Barnard’s Inn, until we both burst out laughing.
From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens
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.
