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?
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 twice, to weigh carefully before acting; consider: I would think twice before taking on such a responsibility.
Origin of think
1
before 900;Middle Englishthinken, variant of thenken,Old Englishthencan; cognate with Dutch,Germandenken,Old Norsethekkja,Gothicthagkjan; akin to thank
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.
Also, think out. Arrive at a thorough understanding of; devise or contrive thoroughly. For example, That answer doesn't work; I don't believe you've thought the problem through, or He thought out a far more efficient method. The first term dates from the early 1900s, the variant from the mid-1800s. Also see think up.
