think

[ thingk ]

/ θɪŋk /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR think 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?

Nearby words

Idioms

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

before 900; Middle English thinken, variant of thenken, Old English thencan; cognate with Dutch, German denken, Old Norse thekkja, Gothic thagkjan; akin to thank

better

[ bet-er ]

/ ˈbɛt ər /

adjective, compar. of good with best as superl.

of superior quality or excellence: a better coat; a better speech.

morally superior; more virtuous: They are no better than thieves.

of superior suitability, advisability, desirability, acceptableness, etc.; preferable: a better time for action.

larger; greater: the better part of a lifetime.

improved in health; healthier than before.

completely recovered in health.

adverb, compar. of well with best as superl.

in a more appropriate or acceptable way or manner: to behave better.

to a greater degree; more completely or thoroughly: He knows the way better than we do. I probably know him better than anyone else.

more: I walked better than a mile to town.

verb (used with object)

to increase the good qualities of; make better; improve: to better one's grades; to better the lot of the suburban commuter.

to improve upon; surpass; exceed: We have bettered last year's production record.

Cards. to raise (a previous bid).

noun

that which has greater excellence or is preferable or wiser: the better of two choices.

Usually betters. those superior to one in wisdom, wealth, etc.

Origin of better

before 900; Middle English bettre, Old English bet(t)(e)ra; cognate with Old High German bezziro (German besser), Dutch beter, Old Norse betr, Gothic batiza, equivalent to bat- (cognate with Old High German baz (adv.) better; akin to boot²) + -iza comparative suffix; suggested relation to Sanskrit bhadrá- “fortunate” is doubtful. See best

SYNONYMS FOR better

10. amend; advance, promote; reform, correct, rectify. See improve.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR better ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsun·bet·tered, adjective

Can be confusedbetter bettor

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for think better of

better

/ (ˈbɛtə) /

adjective

the comparative of good

more excellent than other members of a particular group, category, etc

more suitable, advantageous, attractive, etc

improved in health

fully recovered in health

in more favourable circumstances, esp financially

better off in more favourable circumstances, esp financially

the better part of a large part ofthe better part of a day

adverb

the comparative of well 1

in a more excellent manner; more advantageously, attractively, etc

in or to a greater degree or extent; moreshe is better loved than her sister

go one better (Brit intr; US tr) to outdo (a person) or improve upon (someone else's effort)

had better would be wise, sensible, etc toI had better be off

know better than to not to be so stupid as to

think better of

to change one's course of action after reconsideration
to rate (a person) more highly

noun

the better something that is the more excellent, useful, etc, of two such things

(usually plural) a person who is superior, esp in social standing or ability

all the better for improved as a result of

all the better to more suitable to

for better for worse whatever the subsequent events or changes may be

for the better by way of improvementa change for the better

get the better of to defeat, outwit, or surpass

the better of Irish having recovered fromI'm not the better of it yet

verb

to make or become better

(tr) to improve upon; surpass

Word Origin for better

Old English betera; related to Old Norse betri, Gothic batiza, Old High German beziro

better

esp US bettor

/ (ˈbɛtə) /

noun

a person who bets

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 Formsthinker, 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

Word Origin and History for think better of

think

Old English þencan "conceive in the mind, think, consider, intend" (past tense þohte, p.p. geþoht), probably originally "cause to appear to oneself," from Proto-Germanic *thankjan (cf. Old Frisian thinka, Old Saxon thenkian, Old High German denchen, German denken, Old Norse þekkja, Gothic þagkjan); Old English þencan is the causative form of the distinct Old English verb þyncan "to seem or appear" (past tense þuhte, past participle geþuht), from Proto-Germanic *thunkjan (cf. German dünken, däuchte). Both are from PIE *tong- "to think, feel" which also is the root of thought and thank. The two meanings converged in Middle English and þyncan "to seem" was absorbed, except for archaic methinks "it seems to me." Jocular past participle thunk (not historical, but by analogy of drink, sink, etc.) is recorded from 1876.

better

adj.

Old English bettra, earlier betera, from Proto-Germanic *batizo-, from PIE *bhad- "good;" see best. Comparative adjective of good in the older Germanic languages (cf. Old Frisian betera, Old Saxon betiro, Old Norse betr, Danish bedre, Old High German bezziro, German besser, Gothic batiza). In English it superseded bet in the adverbial sense by 1600. Better half "wife" is first attested 1570s.

better

late 12c., "that which is better," from better (adj.). Specific meaning "one's superior" is from early 14c. To get the better of (someone) is from 1650s, from better in a sense of "superiority, mastery," which is recorded from mid-15c.

better

Old English *beterian "improve, amend, make better," from Proto-Germanic *batizojan (cf. Old Frisian beteria, Dutch beteren, Old Norse betra, Old High German baziron, German bessern), from *batiz- (see better (adj.)). Related: Bettered; bettering.

Medicine definitions for think better of

think

[ thĭngk ]

v.

To exercise the power of reason, as by conceiving ideas, drawing inferences, and using judgment.

To weigh or consider an idea.

To bring a thought to mind by imagination or invention.

To recall a thought or an image to mind.

Idioms and Phrases with think better of

think better of

Reconsider, change one's mind about, as in I hope you'll think better of it before you quit your job. [c. 1600]

better

In addition to the idioms beginning with better

better half
better late than never
better off
better part of
better safe than sorry
better than

also see:

against one's better judgment
all better
all the better
discretion is the better part of valor
for better or for worse
get better
get the better (best) of
go one better
had better (best)
know better
seen better days
so much the better
sooner the better
take a turn for the better
think better of
you'd better believe it

Also see underbest.

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

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

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

adjective

noun

Verb Phrases

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Idioms

Origin of think

better

adjective, compar. of good with best as superl.

adverb, compar. of well with best as superl.

verb (used with object)

noun

Origin of better

better

adjective

adverb

noun

verb

Word Origin for better

better

esp US bettor

noun

think

verb thinks, thinking or thought

noun

Word Origin for think

think

better

better

better

think

v.

think better of

better

think