Think Definition & Meaning

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British

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Synonyms think 1 American [thingk] / θɪŋk /

verb (used without object)

thought, thinking

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.

3. to have a certain thing as the subject of one's thoughts.

   I was thinking about you. We could think of nothing else.

4. to call something to one's conscious mind.

   I couldn't think of his phone number.

5. to consider something as a possible action, choice, etc..

   She thought about cutting her hair.

6. to invent or conceive of something.

   We thought of a new plan.

7. to have consideration or regard for someone.

   Think of others first.

8. to esteem a person or thing as indicated.

   to think badly of someone.

9. to have a belief or opinion as indicated.

   I think so.

10. (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, thinking

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.

3. to consider for evaluation or for possible action upon.

   Think the deal over.

4. to regard as specified.

   He thought me unkind.

5. to believe to be true of someone or something.

   to think evil of the neighbors.

6. to analyze or evolve rationally.

   to think the problem out.

7. to have as a plan or intention.

   I thought that I would go.

8. 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.

noun

1. Informal. the act or a period of thinking.

   I want to sit down and give it a good think.

verb phrase

1. think of

   1. to conceive of; imagine.

   2. to have an opinion or judgment of.

   3. to consider; anticipate.

      When one thinks of what the future may bring, one is both worried and hopeful.

2. think out / through

   1. to think about until a conclusion is reached; understand or solve by thinking.

   2. to devise by thinking; contrive.

      He thought out a plan for saving time.

3. think up to devise or contrive by thinking.

   Can you think up an arrangement of furniture for this room?

idioms

1. think twice, to weigh carefully before acting; consider.

   I would think twice before taking on such a responsibility.

2. think fit, to consider advisable or appropriate.

   By all means, take a vacation if you think fit.

3. think nothing of. nothing.

4. think better of, to change one's mind about; reconsider.

   She considered emigrating to Australia, but thought better of it.

think 2 American [thingk] / θɪŋk /

verb (used without object)

Obsolete. thought, thinking

1. to seem or appear (usually used impersonally with a dative as the subject).

think British / θɪŋk /

verb

1. (tr; may take a clause as object) to consider, judge, or believe

   he thinks my ideas impractical

2. to exercise the mind as in order to make a decision; ponder

3. (intr) to be capable of conscious thought

   man is the only animal that thinks

4. to remember; recollect

   I can't think what his name is

5. to make the mental choice (of)

   think of a number

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

   1. to expect; suppose

      I didn't think to see you here

   2. to be considerate or aware enough (to do something)

      he did not think to thank them

7. to consider; regard

   she thinks of herself as a poet

8. (intr) to focus the attention on being

   think thin

   think big

9. (tr) to bring into or out of a specified condition by thinking

   to think away one's fears

10. slang a phrase added to an ironical statement

    you're the paragon of virtue, I don't think

11. to reconsider one's decision, opinion, etc

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

    2. to have a more favourable opinion of (a person)

13. (usually negative) to have a high opinion of

14. 1. to regard as routine, easy, or natural

    2. to have no compunction or hesitation about

    3. to have a very low opinion of

15. to consider carefully before deciding (about something)

"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

noun

1. informal a careful, open-minded assessment

   let's have a fresh think about this problem

2. informal (modifier) characterized by or involving thinkers, thinking, or thought

   a think session

3. slang you are mistaken and will soon have to alter your opinion

"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 think More Idioms

More idioms and phrases containing think

• come to think of it
• have another guess (think) coming
• hear oneself think
• not think much of
• put on one's thinking cap
• thought
• wishful thinking

Other Word Forms

• thinker noun

Etymology

Origin of think1

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

Origin of think1

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But Reeve, who went to Juilliard, was trained to think about every role as if he were playing Hamlet.

From The Wall Street Journal

Indeed, it is difficult to think of any place outside the tribal areas of Afghanistan or Waziristan where the firearm is such a cultural totem.

From Salon

I told him in advance that I thought it was a water-pressure issue.

From MarketWatch

“I think it’s important to be honest,” said Spackman, the retired entrepreneur.

From The Wall Street Journal

“I think every single one of our routines, BJ did an incredible and phenomenal job of individualizing them.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assume
• consider
• determine
• expect
• feel
• guess
• judge
• realize
• see
• take
• understand

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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