thinking

American  

[thing-king] / ˈθɪŋ kɪŋ /

adjective

1. rational; reasoning.

   People are thinking animals.

2. thoughtful; reflective.

   Any thinking person would reject that plan.

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noun

1. thought; judgment, reflection.

   clear thinking.

thinking British  

/ ˈθɪŋkɪŋ /

noun

1. opinion or judgment

2. the process of thought

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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

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

Kompany, though, commands respect from players given his accomplished playing career - and he is also well known for speaking clearly and thinking intelligently.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

I am thinking about the drawing of the boardinghouse, and of my window, and how there was light glowing from around the edges of my curtain.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

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