thinking

[thing-king]

adjective

1. rational; reasoning.

   People are thinking animals.

2. thoughtful; reflective.

   Any thinking person would reject that plan.

noun

1. thought; think; thought; judgment, reflection.

   clear thinking.

thinking

/ ˈθɪŋkɪŋ /

noun

1. opinion or judgment

2. the process of thought

adjective

1. (prenominal) using or capable of using intelligent thought

   thinking people

2. to ponder a matter or problem

Other Word Forms

• thinkingly adverb
• nonthinking adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of thinking¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English thenking (noun); think ¹, -ing ², -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Despite this error, a new Cambridge study explains that the map's appearance in print helped set in motion ideas about territory and borders that still influence thinking today.

Read more on Science Daily

“I kept thinking, ‘Boy, I wish I knew where my old Beetle was,’” says Siegrist.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

After a fair catch, South Gate took over at its 46 and when Anthony Ford intercepted a pass the Gladiators began celebrating, thinking they had won.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“I remember going to see those movies, I remember thinking that, oh, wow, we could move up quickly in the office,” said Vincent Piturro, professor of film and media studies at MSU Denver.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A person familiar with Witkoff’s thinking said the envoy is confident that any settlement with Russia would benefit America broadly, not just a handful of investors.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• idea 
• judgment 
• logic 
• opinion 
• reasoning 
• understanding