thinking

American  

[thing-king] / ˈθɪŋ kɪŋ /

adjective

1. rational; reasoning.

   People are thinking animals.

2. thoughtful; reflective.

   Any thinking person would reject that plan.

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noun

1. thought; judgment, reflection.

   clear thinking.

thinking British  

/ ˈθɪŋkɪŋ /

noun

1. opinion or judgment

2. the process of thought

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adjective

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

   thinking people

2. to ponder a matter or problem

Other Word Forms

• nonthinking adjective
• thinkingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of thinking

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

Example Sentences

"The Pope is the Pope, we owe him a certain amount of deference, but I don't think that Catholicism wants the obedience of cadavers. We are living, thinking persons," he says.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

On the walls, another nod to the idea of thinking: reproductions of works by Edvard Munch, the deeply intellectual painter.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

In order to AI-proof your career, apply to jobs where critical thinking and innovation are more important than technical skills.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

So, I went back home thinking that this might actually work out.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

I try, out of the corner of my bleary eye, to discern what he might be thinking, but his face is impassive.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

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