contemplate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to look at or view with continued attention; observe or study thoughtfully.
to contemplate the stars.
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to consider thoroughly; think fully or deeply about.
to contemplate a difficult problem.
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to have as a purpose; intend.
The District Attorney's office does not contemplate any charges.
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to have in view as a future event.
to contemplate buying a new car.
verb (used without object)
verb
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to think about intently and at length; consider calmly
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(intr) to think intently and at length, esp for spiritual reasons; meditate
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to look at thoughtfully; observe pensively
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to have in mind as a possibility
to contemplate changing jobs
Other Word Forms
- contemplator noun
- precontemplate verb
- recontemplate verb
- uncontemplated adjective
Etymology
Origin of contemplate
First recorded in 1585–95; from Latin contemplātus, past participle of contemplāre, contemplārī “to survey, observe,” equivalent to con- “with, together” + templ(um) “space marked off for augural observation” + -ātus past participle suffix; con-, temple 1, -ate 1
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.
Quite simply, it is not even worth contemplating from England's viewpoint.
From BBC
Sure, for about five seconds, I’d contemplated sending him outfit pics and asking which one made me look best.
From Literature
Yu Darvish will miss the season after undergoing elbow surgery, and is on the restricted list while he contemplates his future.
From Los Angeles Times
This is not a documentary feature stuffed with detailed historical context, talking heads contemplating Jacobs’ impact, and stretches of runtime devoted to quietly pondering what legacy looks like in an ephemeral business.
From Salon
It's easy to feel confused, or perhaps even a little dizzy, when contemplating the merry-go-round of changes in the senior team at Aston Martin in the past couple of years.
From BBC
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.
