thinking

American  

[thing-king] / ˈθɪŋ kɪŋ /

adjective

1. rational; reasoning.

   People are thinking animals.

2. thoughtful; reflective.

   Any thinking person would reject that plan.

---

noun

1. thought; judgment, reflection.

   clear thinking.

thinking British  

/ ˈθɪŋkɪŋ /

noun

1. opinion or judgment

2. the process of thought

---

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

As for what’s next in the desert, Verma-Lallian is thinking for the long term.

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

Did congressional leadership know?—there is one that won’t stop popping into my mind: What in the hell was he thinking?

From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026

In a smaller group of participants who died during the study and underwent autopsies, those with higher enrichment showed stronger memory and thinking abilities and slower cognitive decline before death.

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2026

His fingertips are smudged with charcoal, as they always are, and I am thinking about what he uses them for, all the beautiful artwork in his room.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

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