think

[ thingk ]

/ θɪŋk /

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See synonyms for: think / thinking / thought on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), thought, think·ing.

to have a conscious mind, to some extent of reasoning, remembering experiences, making rational decisions, etc.

to employ one's mind rationally and objectively in evaluating or dealing with a given situation: Think carefully before you begin.

to have a certain thing as the subject of one's thoughts: I was thinking about you. We could think of nothing else.

to call something to one's conscious mind: I couldn't think of his phone number.

to consider something as a possible action, choice, etc.: She thought about cutting her hair.

to invent or conceive of something: We thought of a new plan.

to have consideration or regard for someone: Think of others first.

to esteem a person or thing as indicated: to think badly of someone.

to have a belief or opinion as indicated: I think so.

(of a device or machine, especially a computer) to use artificial intelligence to perform an activity analogous to human thought.

verb (used with object), thought, think·ing.

to have or form in the mind as an idea, conception, etc.

to have or form in the mind in order to understand, know, or remember something else: Romantic comedy is all about chemistry: think Tracy and Hepburn. Can't guess? Here's a hint: think 19th century.

to consider for evaluation or for possible action upon: Think the deal over.

to regard as specified: He thought me unkind.

to believe to be true of someone or something: to think evil of the neighbors.

to analyze or evolve rationally: to think the problem out.

to have as a plan or intention: I thought that I would go.

to anticipate or expect: I did not think to find you here.

adjective

of or relating to thinking or thought.

Informal. stimulating or challenging to the intellect or mind: the think book of the year.Compare think piece.

noun

Informal. the act or a period of thinking: I want to sit down and give it a good think.

Verb Phrases

think of,

to conceive of; imagine.
to have an opinion or judgment of.
to consider; anticipate: When one thinks of what the future may bring, one is both worried and hopeful.

think out / through

to think about until a conclusion is reached; understand or solve by thinking.
to devise by thinking; contrive: He thought out a plan for saving time.

think up, to devise or contrive by thinking: Can you think up an arrangement of furniture for this room?

QUIZ

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Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about think

think better of, to change one's mind about; reconsider: She considered emigrating to Australia, but thought better of it.

think fit, to consider advisable or appropriate: By all means, take a vacation if you think fit.

think nothing of. nothing (def. 19).

think twice, to weigh carefully before acting; consider: I would think twice before taking on such a responsibility.

Origin of think

First recorded before 900; Middle English thinken, variant of thenken, Old English thencan; cognate with Dutch, German denken, Old Norse thekkja, Gothic thagkjan; akin to Latin tongēre “to know” and thank

Words nearby think

thing or two, things are looking up, thingstead, thingumabob, thingy, think, thinkable, think a lot of, think aloud, think back, think better of

Other definitions for think (2 of 2)

think²

[ thingk ]

/ θɪŋk /

verb (used without object), thought, think·ing.Obsolete.

to seem or appear (usually used impersonally with a dative as the subject).

Compare methinks.

Origin of think

First recorded before 900; Middle English thinken “to present the appearance of, seem,” Old English thyncan “to seem”; cognate with Dutch dunken, German dünken, Old Norse thykkja, Gothic thugkjan

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use think in a sentence

Here are the upgrades I think are most important in relation to the places I hunt.
Six ways to make your ATV even more rugged|By Tyler Freel/Outdoor Life|September 17, 2020|Popular-Science
A Hyderabad-headquartered startup, which is competing in the TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield this week, thinks it has found a way to address both of these challenges.
UrbanKisaan is betting on vertical farming to bring pesticide-free vegetables to consumers and fight India’s water crisis|Manish Singh|September 17, 2020|TechCrunch
I didn’t want to have a Michelin star because I thought it was not the kind of restaurant we wanted to be.
Christian Puglisi Is Closing His Influential Copenhagen Restaurants. COVID Is Only Partly to Blame|Rafael Tonon|September 17, 2020|Eater
I’m thinking about that Chicago train rumor that spread through Facebook in the spring.
Mobilizing the National Guard Doesn’t Mean Your State Is Under Martial Law. Usually.|by Logan Jaffe|September 17, 2020|ProPublica

This is something James Robinson has spent a lot of time thinking about.
Does Anyone Really Know What Socialism Is? (Ep. 408 Rebroadcast)|Stephen J. Dubner|September 17, 2020|Freakonomics
I think a lot of it has to do with the attitude and the energy behind it and the honesty.
‘Black Dynamite’ Presents Police Brutality: The Musical|Stereo Williams|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“I think the types of stories we do are very similar to what happened with hip-hop,” says Jones.
‘Black Dynamite’ Presents Police Brutality: The Musical|Stereo Williams|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“I think for trans men who are dating every time they hook up they have another coming out,” Sandler said.
Grindr’s Trans Dating Problem|David Levesley|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I think a large majority of our fans are [other] nationalities.
‘Black Dynamite’ Presents Police Brutality: The Musical|Stereo Williams|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Think back to the Bush-Kerry race of 2004, the Thrilla in Vanilla.
Jeb Bush’s Unseen Anti-Gay Marriage Emails|Jackie Kucinich|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
You would not think it too much to set the whole province in flames so that you could have your way with this wretched child.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
Few people, I think, realize that, and fewer still realize the reasonable consequences of that.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
We are apt to think of these little ones as doing right only when under compulsion: but this is far from the truth.
Children's Ways|James Sully
He made me think of an old time magician more than anything, and I felt that with a touch of his wand he could transform us all.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
"I hope you don't think I speak always to strangers, like that," said the girl in the rose hat.
Rosemary in Search of a Father|C. N. Williamson

British Dictionary definitions for think

think

/ (θɪŋk) /

verb thinks, thinking or thought

(tr; may take a clause as object) to consider, judge, or believehe thinks my ideas impractical

(intr often foll by about) to exercise the mind as in order to make a decision; ponder

(intr) to be capable of conscious thoughtman is the only animal that thinks

to remember; recollectI can't think what his name is

(intr foll by of) to make the mental choice (of)think of a number

(may take a clause as object or an infinitive)

to expect; supposeI didn't think to see you here
to be considerate or aware enough (to do something)he did not think to thank them

(intr foll by of) to consider; regardshe thinks of herself as a poet

(intr) to focus the attention on beingthink thin; think big

(tr) to bring into or out of a specified condition by thinkingto think away one's fears

I don't think slang a phrase added to an ironical statementyou're the paragon of virtue, I don't think

think again to reconsider one's decision, opinion, etc

think better of

to change one's mind about (a course of action, decision, etc)
to have a more favourable opinion of (a person)

think much of (usually negative) to have a high opinion of

think nothing of

to regard as routine, easy, or natural
to have no compunction or hesitation about
to have a very low opinion of

think twice to consider carefully before deciding (about something)

noun

informal a careful, open-minded assessmentlet's have a fresh think about this problem

(modifier) informal characterized by or involving thinkers, thinking, or thoughta think session

you've got another think coming slang you are mistaken and will soon have to alter your opinion

See also think out, think over, think up

Derived forms of think

thinker, noun

Word Origin for think

Old English thencan; related to Old Frisian thenza, Old Saxon thenkian, Old High German denken, Old Norse thekkja, Gothic thagkjan

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with think

think

In addition to the idioms beginning with think

think a lot of
think aloud
think back
think better of
think big
thinking cap
think little of
think nothing of
think on one's feet
think out
think over
think piece
think positive
think tank
think the world of
think through
think twice
think up

also see:

come to think of it
have another guess (think) coming
hear oneself think
not think much of
put on one's thinking cap
wishful thinking

Also see underthought.

think

Idioms about think

Origin of think

Words nearby think

Other definitions for think (2 of 2)

Origin of think

Words related to think

How to use think in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for think

Derived forms of think

Word Origin for think

Other Idioms and Phrases with think