think

1
[ thingk ]
See synonyms for think on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object),thought, think·ing.
  1. to have a conscious mind, to some extent of reasoning, remembering experiences, making rational decisions, etc.

  2. to employ one's mind rationally and objectively in evaluating or dealing with a given situation: Think carefully before you begin.

  1. to have a certain thing as the subject of one's thoughts: I was thinking about you. We could think of nothing else.

  2. to call something to one's conscious mind: I couldn't think of his phone number.

  3. to consider something as a possible action, choice, etc.: She thought about cutting her hair.

  4. to invent or conceive of something: We thought of a new plan.

  5. to have consideration or regard for someone: Think of others first.

  6. to esteem a person or thing as indicated: to think badly of someone.

  7. to have a belief or opinion as indicated: I think so.

  8. (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.
  1. to have or form in the mind as an idea, conception, etc.

  2. 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.

  1. to consider for evaluation or for possible action upon: Think the deal over.

  2. to regard as specified: He thought me unkind.

  3. to believe to be true of someone or something: to think evil of the neighbors.

  4. to analyze or evolve rationally: to think the problem out.

  5. to have as a plan or intention: I thought that I would go.

  6. to anticipate or expect: I did not think to find you here.

adjective
  1. of or relating to thinking or thought.

  2. Informal. stimulating or challenging to the intellect or mind: the think book of the year.: Compare think piece.

noun
  1. Informal. the act or a period of thinking: I want to sit down and give it a good think.

Verb Phrases
  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  1. think up, to devise or contrive by thinking: Can you think up an arrangement of furniture for this room?

Idioms about think

  1. think better of, to change one's mind about; reconsider: She considered emigrating to Australia, but thought better of it.

  2. think fit, to consider advisable or appropriate: By all means, take a vacation if you think fit.

  1. think nothing of. nothing (def. 19).

  2. think twice, to weigh carefully before acting; consider: I would think twice before taking on such a responsibility.

Origin of think

1
First recorded before 900; Middle English thinken, variant of thenken, Old English thencan; cognate with Dutch, German denken, Old Norse thekkja, Gothic thagkjan; akin to Latin tongēre “to know” and thank

Other definitions for think (2 of 2)

think2
[ thingk ]

verb (used without object),thought, think·ing.Obsolete.
  1. to seem or appear (usually used impersonally with a dative as the subject).

Origin of think

2
First recorded before 900; Middle English thinken “to present the appearance of, seem,” Old English thyncan “to seem”; cognate with Dutch dunken, German dünken, Old Norse thykkja, Gothic thugkjan

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use think in a sentence

  • It will show likewise in the brain beating broken wings—inability to shoot a thought up out of the body for half a minute.

  • "Oh, I've thought up a plan for escaping with a profit," he assured her, lightly.

    The Pride of Palomar | Peter B. Kyne
  • One time she thought up part of a song without a speck of tune to it, and it was in a language across the ocean.

    The Annals of Ann | Kate Trimble Sharber
  • In fact, it seemed like anybody who had first thought up such a poem must have been crazy in the head.

  • I can believe some of my own stories quicker than this one that the powers that be have thought up.

British Dictionary definitions for think

think

/ (θɪŋk) /


verbthinks, thinking or thought
  1. (tr; may take a clause as object) to consider, judge, or believe: he thinks my ideas impractical

  2. (intr often foll by about) to exercise the mind as in order to make a decision; ponder

  1. (intr) to be capable of conscious thought: man is the only animal that thinks

  2. to remember; recollect: I can't think what his name is

  3. (intr foll by of) to make the mental choice (of): think of a number

  4. (may take a clause as object or an infinitive)

    • to expect; suppose: I didn't think to see you here

    • to be considerate or aware enough (to do something): he did not think to thank them

  5. (intr foll by of) to consider; regard: she thinks of herself as a poet

  6. (intr) to focus the attention on being: think thin; think big

  7. (tr) to bring into or out of a specified condition by thinking: to think away one's fears

  8. I don't think slang a phrase added to an ironical statement: you're the paragon of virtue, I don't think

  9. think again to reconsider one's decision, opinion, etc

  10. think better of

    • to change one's mind about (a course of action, decision, etc)

    • to have a more favourable opinion of (a person)

  11. think much of (usually negative) to have a high opinion of

  12. think nothing of

    • to regard as routine, easy, or natural

    • to have no compunction or hesitation about

    • to have a very low opinion of

  13. think twice to consider carefully before deciding (about something)

noun
  1. informal a careful, open-minded assessment: let's have a fresh think about this problem

  2. (modifier) informal characterized by or involving thinkers, thinking, or thought: a think session

  1. you've got another think coming slang you are mistaken and will soon have to alter your opinion

Origin of think

1
Old English thencan; related to Old Frisian thenza, Old Saxon thenkian, Old High German denken, Old Norse thekkja, Gothic thagkjan

Derived forms of think

  • thinker, noun

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with think

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.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.