Synonyms

the thing

Idioms

Also, the in thing. Something in style or vogue, the latest trend. For example, Wearing oversized clothes is the thing these days, or Vans and sports utility vehicles have been the in thing for some time now. The first term dates from the mid-1700s; the second, which uses in in the sense of “popular,” dates from the mid-1900s. Also see the latest.

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.

And that’s always the thing that I admire about him as a person and as a musician.

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2026

“Somehow, he had finagled the thing from the military.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

Because nothing says you’re good at comedy like having to tell people more than a dozen times that the thing they did not laugh at was, in fact, a joke.

From Salon • May 20, 2026

Would that be the thing that’s on the piece of paper that they’re supposed to respond with?

From Slate • May 19, 2026

He needs two arms to hold the thing.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

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