think

¹

[ thingk ]

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.

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, 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.

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: Compare think piece.

   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. to devise or contrive by thinking:

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

2. 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. 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.

think

²

[ thingk ]

verb (used without object)

, Obsolete.

, thought, think·ing.

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

think

/ θɪŋk /

verb

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

   he thinks my ideas impractical

2. introften foll byabout 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. intrfoll byof 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. intrfoll byof to consider; regard

   she thinks of herself as a poet

8. intr to focus the attention on being

   think big

   think thin

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

   to think away one's fears

10. I don't think slang.
    I don't think a phrase added to an ironical statement

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

11. think again
    think again to reconsider one's decision, opinion, etc
12. think better of
    think better of
    1. to change one's mind about (a course of action, decision, etc)
    2. to have a more favourable opinion of (a person)
13. think much of
    think much of usually negative to have a high opinion of
14. think nothing of
    think nothing of
    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. think twice
    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. informal.
   modifier characterized by or involving thinkers, thinking, or thought

   a think session

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

Derived Forms

• ˈthinker, noun

Word History and Origins

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 think²

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of think¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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.

3. think twice, to weigh carefully before acting; consider:

   I would think twice before taking on such a responsibility.

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

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
• wishful thinking
• thought

Example Sentences

Here are the upgrades I think are most important in relation to the places I hunt.

From Popular-Science

A Hyderabad-headquartered startup, which is competing in the TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield this week, thinks it has found a way to address both of these challenges.

From TechCrunch

I didn’t want to have a Michelin star because I thought it was not the kind of restaurant we wanted to be.

From Eater

I’m thinking about that Chicago train rumor that spread through Facebook in the spring.

From ProPublica

This is something James Robinson has spent a lot of time thinking about.

From Freakonomics

I think a lot of it has to do with the attitude and the energy behind it and the honesty.

From The Daily Beast

“I think the types of stories we do are very similar to what happened with hip-hop,” says Jones.

From The Daily Beast

“I think for trans men who are dating every time they hook up they have another coming out,” Sandler said.

From The Daily Beast

I think a large majority of our fans are [other] nationalities.

From The Daily Beast

Think back to the Bush-Kerry race of 2004, the Thrilla in Vanilla.

From The Daily Beast

You would not think it too much to set the whole province in flames so that you could have your way with this wretched child.

From Project Gutenberg

Few people, I think, realize that, and fewer still realize the reasonable consequences of that.

From Project Gutenberg

We are apt to think of these little ones as doing right only when under compulsion: but this is far from the truth.

From Project Gutenberg

He made me think of an old time magician more than anything, and I felt that with a touch of his wand he could transform us all.

From Project Gutenberg

"I hope you don't think I speak always to strangers, like that," said the girl in the rose hat.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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