|
|
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026think1 /θɪŋk/USA pronunciation
v., thought/θɔt/USA pronunciation think•ing, n. v. - to have a conscious mind that can reason, remember, and make decisions:[not: be + ~-ing;no object]Descartes said, "I think, therefore I am,'' meaning that the capacity to think was central to what it means to be human.
- to use one's mind in a reasoning way to make a decision about a given situation:[no object]Think carefully before you act.
- to have a certain thing as the subject of one's thoughts: [no object]I was thinking about college the other day.[~ + (that) clause]I was thinking that our college days were the best years of our lives.[used with quotations]"That's odd,'' Alice thought.[~ + object]Think nice thoughts and go to sleep.
- to call something to one's conscious mind:[~ + of + object]to think of others less fortunate than we are.
- to consider a possible action or plan: [no object]thinking about cutting her hair.[~ + (that) clause]We think that we'll go back to Ithaca some day.
- to invent or conceive of something:[~ + of + object]to think of a plan.
- to have a belief or opinion:[not: be + ~-ing;~ + (that) clause]I think she is funny.
- to consider a person or thing as indicated: [~ + adjective + of + object]I only think well of her.[~ + object + adjective]He thought me unkind.[~ + object + noun]She thought him a total fool.
- to anticipate or expect:[~ + to + verb]I did not think to call you; I know I should have.
- think over, to evaluate for possible action: [~ + object + over]Think the deal over and call us tomorrow.[~ + over + object]Think over her offer.
- think through or out, to solve by thinking;
come up with something by thinking: [~ + through/out + object]to think through a problem.[~ + object + through/out]to think a problem through.
- think up, to invent;
devise;
create;
come up with: [~ + up + object]I couldn't think up a better excuse.[~ + object + up]to think something up.
n. [countable]
- Informal Termsthe act or a period of thinking:First, give it a good think.
Idioms
- Idioms think better of, [~ + object] to reconsider:He was all set to yell at her, but then he thought better of it and kept quiet.
- Idioms think fit, [no object] to believe or consider (something) to be proper or appropriate:Do as you think fit; I trust your judgment.
- Idioms think little or nothing of, [~ + little/nothing + of + object] to believe (something) to be not worthy of notice;
belittle or disparage:thinks nothing of bicycling 20 miles.
- Idioms think the world of, [~ + object] to like or admire greatly:Her father thinks the world of her.
- Idioms think twice, to consider carefully before acting:urged him to think twice about going to Hanoi.
think•er, n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026think1
(thingk),USA pronunciation v., thought, think•ing, adj., n. v.i. - 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.
- Computing(of a device or machine, esp. a computer) to use artificial intelligence to perform an activity analogous to human thought.
v.t. - to have or form in the mind as an idea, conception, etc.
- 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.
- 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. See nothing (def. 17).
- 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 or 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 twice, to weigh carefully before acting;
consider:I would think twice before taking on such a responsibility.
- think up, to devise or contrive by thinking:Can you think up an arrangement of furniture for this room?
adj. - of or pertaining to thinking or thought.
- Informal Termsstimulating or challenging to the intellect or mind:the think book of the year.Cf. think piece.
n. - Informal Termsthe act or a period of thinking:I want to sit down and give it a good think.
- bef. 900; Middle English thinken, variant of thenken, Old English thencan; cognate with Dutch, German denken, Old Norse thekkja, Gothic thagkjan; akin to thank
- to seem or appear (usually used impersonally with a dative as the subject). Cf. methinks.
- bef. 900; Middle English thinken, Old English thyncan; cognate with Dutch dunken, German dünken, Old Norse thykkja, Gothic thugkjan
'think of' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
|
|
