thinking

[ thing-king ]

/ ˈθɪŋ kɪŋ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR thinking ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

rational; reasoning: People are thinking animals.

thoughtful; reflective: Any thinking person would reject that plan.

noun

thought; judgment, reflection: clear thinking.

Origin of thinking

1250–1300; Middle English thenking (noun). See think¹, -ing², -ing¹

OTHER WORDS FROM thinking

think·ing·ly, adverb non·think·ing, adjective, noun

Words nearby thinking

think up, think-tank, thinkable, thinker, thinker, the, thinking, thinking cap, thinking through, thinkpiece, thinner, thinnish

Definition for thinking (2 of 3)

think ¹

[ thingk ]

/ θɪŋk /

verb (used without object), thought, think·ing.

to have a conscious mind, to some extent of reasoning, remembering experiences, making rational decisions, etc.

to employ one's mind rationally and objectively in evaluating or dealing with a given situation: Think carefully before you begin.

to have a certain thing as the subject of one's thoughts: I was thinking about you. We could think of nothing else.

to call something to one's conscious mind: I couldn't think of his phone number.

to consider something as a possible action, choice, etc.: She thought about cutting her hair.

to invent or conceive of something: We thought of a new plan.

to have consideration or regard for someone: Think of others first.

to esteem a person or thing as indicated: to think badly of someone.

to have a belief or opinion as indicated: I think so.

(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.

to have or form in the mind as an idea, conception, etc.

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.

to consider for evaluation or for possible action upon: Think the deal over.

to regard as specified: He thought me unkind.

to believe to be true of someone or something: to think evil of the neighbors.

to analyze or evolve rationally: to think the problem out.

to have as a plan or intention: I thought that I would go.

to anticipate or expect: I did not think to find you here.

adjective

of or relating to thinking or thought.

Informal. stimulating or challenging to the intellect or mind: the think book of the year. Compare think piece.

noun

Informal. the act or a period of thinking: I want to sit down and give it a good think.

Verb Phrases

think of,

to conceive of; imagine.
to have an opinion or judgment of.
to consider; anticipate: When one thinks of what the future may bring, one is both worried and hopeful.

think out/through,

to think about until a conclusion is reached; understand or solve by thinking.
to devise by thinking; contrive: He thought out a plan for saving time.

think up, to devise or contrive by thinking: Can you think up an arrangement of furniture for this room?

Origin of think

before 900; Middle English thinken, variant of thenken, Old English thencan; cognate with Dutch, German denken, Old Norse thekkja, Gothic thagkjan; akin to thank

Definition for thinking (3 of 3)

think ²

[ thingk ]

/ θɪŋk /

verb (used without object), thought, think·ing. Obsolete.

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

Compare methinks.

Origin of think

before 900; Middle English thinken, Old English thyncan; cognate with Dutch dunken, German dünken, Old Norse thykkja, Gothic thugkjan

Example sentences from the Web for thinking

While Huckabee is thinking about his run for president, I thought it was time to think about Huckabee.

The Devil in Mike Huckabee |Dean Obeidallah |January 6, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
But the ads are not just intended to remind the Google-curious that Paul exists and is thinking about running for president.

Rand Paul’s Passive-Aggressive Trolling Campaign |Olivia Nuzzi |January 6, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
I was thinking about retiring from modeling, but spending that time with them rekindled that bug.

Porn Stars on the Year in Porn: Drone Erotica, Belle Knox, and Wild Sex |Aurora Snow |December 27, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
I am personally guilty of thinking that the culture war can be at least partially won on style points.

Glenn Beck Is Now Selling Hipster Clothes. Really. |Ana Marie Cox |December 20, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

Thinking there was another way, I met a few times with the president of the Interfraternity Council.

I Was Gang Raped at a UVA Frat 30 Years Ago, and No One Did Anything |Liz Seccuro |December 16, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Sit, with our hands crossed, singing hymns and thinking of our cari sposi in the Plains?

Chronicles of Dustypore |Henry Stewart Cunningham
Care of the rooms was strictly included in the boarder's twenty dollars a month, but Kern was not thinking of it that way exactly.

V. V.'s Eyes |Henry Sydnor Harrison
I have been thinking that I might play the first part and you the second.

The Queen's Scarlet |George Manville Fenn
It set him thinking that it might be a prudish strain in the young man's mind, due to the System in difficulties.

The Ordeal of Richard Feverel, Complete |George Meredith
Human nature is a hateful, ugly thing; there is no use in thinking about it.

The Good Comrade |Una L. Silberrad

British Dictionary definitions for thinking (1 of 2)

thinking

/ (ˈθɪŋkɪŋ) /

noun

opinion or judgment

the process of thought

adjective

(prenominal) using or capable of using intelligent thought thinking people

put on one's thinking cap to ponder a matter or problem

British Dictionary definitions for thinking (2 of 2)

think

/ (θɪŋk) /

verb thinks, thinking or thought

(tr; may take a clause as object) to consider, judge, or believe he thinks my ideas impractical

(intr often foll by about) to exercise the mind as in order to make a decision; ponder

(intr) to be capable of conscious thought man is the only animal that thinks

to remember; recollect I can't think what his name is

(intr foll by of) to make the mental choice (of) think of a number

(may take a clause as object or an infinitive)

to expect; supposeI didn't think to see you here
to be considerate or aware enough (to do something)he did not think to thank them

(intr foll by of) to consider; regard she thinks of herself as a poet

(intr) to focus the attention on being think thin; think big

(tr) to bring into or out of a specified condition by thinking to think away one's fears

I don't think slang a phrase added to an ironical statement you're the paragon of virtue, I don't think

think again to reconsider one's decision, opinion, etc

think better of

to change one's mind about (a course of action, decision, etc)
to have a more favourable opinion of (a person)

think much of (usually negative) to have a high opinion of

think nothing of

to regard as routine, easy, or natural
to have no compunction or hesitation about
to have a very low opinion of

think twice to consider carefully before deciding (about something)

noun

informal a careful, open-minded assessment let's have a fresh think about this problem

(modifier) informal characterized by or involving thinkers, thinking, or thought a think session

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

See also think out, think over, think up

Derived forms of think

thinker, noun

Word Origin for think

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

Medical definitions for thinking (1 of 2)

thinking

[ thĭng′kĭng ]

n.

The act or practice of a person who thinks; thought.

adj.

Characterized by thought or thoughtfulness; rational.

Medical definitions for thinking (2 of 2)

think

[ thĭngk ]

v.

To exercise the power of reason, as by conceiving ideas, drawing inferences, and using judgment.

To weigh or consider an idea.

To bring a thought to mind by imagination or invention.

To recall a thought or an image to mind.

Idioms and Phrases with thinking

think

In addition to the idioms beginning with think

think a lot of
think aloud
think back
think better of
think big
thinking cap
think little of
think nothing of
think on one's feet
think out
think over
think piece
think positive
think tank
think the world of
think through
think twice
think up

also see:

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

Also see underthought.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

thinking

adjective

noun

Origin of thinking

OTHER WORDS FROM thinking

Words nearby thinking

Definition for thinking (2 of 3)

verb (used without object), thought, think·ing.

verb (used with object), thought, think·ing.

adjective

noun

Verb Phrases

Origin of think

Definition for thinking (3 of 3)

verb (used without object), thought, think·ing. Obsolete.

Origin of think

Example sentences from the Web for thinking

British Dictionary definitions for thinking (1 of 2)

noun

adjective

British Dictionary definitions for thinking (2 of 2)

verb thinks, thinking or thought

noun

Derived forms of think

Word Origin for think

Medical definitions for thinking (1 of 2)

n.

adj.

Medical definitions for thinking (2 of 2)

v.

Idioms and Phrases with thinking

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

thinking

adjective

noun

Origin of thinking

OTHER WORDS FROM thinking

Words nearby thinking

Definition for thinking (2 of 3)

verb (used without object), thought, think·ing.

verb (used with object), thought, think·ing.

adjective

noun

Verb Phrases

Origin of think

Definition for thinking (3 of 3)

verb (used without object), thought, think·ing. Obsolete.

Origin of think

Words related to thinking

Example sentences from the Web for thinking

British Dictionary definitions for thinking (1 of 2)

noun

adjective

British Dictionary definitions for thinking (2 of 2)

verb thinks, thinking or thought

noun

Derived forms of think

Word Origin for think

Medical definitions for thinking (1 of 2)

n.

adj.

Medical definitions for thinking (2 of 2)

v.

Idioms and Phrases with thinking