First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1think
verb \ˈthiŋk\
: to believe that something is true, that a particular situation exists, that something will happen, etc.
: to have an opinion about someone or something
: to form or have (a particular thought) in your mind
thought \ˈthȯt\ think·ing
Full Definition of THINK
transitive verb
1
: to form or have in the mind
2
: to have as an intention <thought to return early>
3
a : to have as an opinion <think it's so> b : to regard as : consider <think the rule unfair>
4
a : to reflect on : ponder <think the matter over> b : to determine by reflecting <think what to do next>
5
: to call to mind : remember <he never thinks to ask how we do>
6
: to devise by thinking —usually used with up <thought up a plan to escape>
7
: to have as an expectation : anticipate <we didn't think we'd have any trouble>
8
a : to center one's thoughts on <talks and thinks business> b : to form a mental picture of
9
: to subject to the processes of logical thought <think things out>
intransitive verb
1
a : to exercise the powers of judgment, conception, or inference : reason b : to have in the mind or call to mind a thought
2
a : to have the mind engaged in reflection : meditate b : to consider the suitability <thought of her for president>
3
: to have a view or opinion <thinks of himself as a poet>
4
: to have concern —usually used with of <a man must think first of his family>
5
: to consider something likely : suspect <may happen sooner than you think>
— think·er noun
— think better of
: to reconsider and make a wiser decision
— think much of
: to view with satisfaction : approve —usually used in negative constructions <I didn't think much of the new car>
See think defined for English-language learners
See think defined for kids
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Origin of THINK
Middle English thenken, from Old English thencan; akin to Old High German denken to think, Latin tongēre to know — more at thanks
Related to THINK
Synonym Discussion of THINK
think, conceive, imagine, fancy, realize, envisage, envision mean to form an idea of. think implies the entrance of an idea into one's mind with or without deliberate consideration or reflection <I just thought of a good joke>. conceive suggests the forming and bringing forth and usually developing of an idea, plan, or design <conceived of a new marketing approach>. imagine stresses a visualization <imagine you're at the beach>. fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires <fancied himself a super athlete>. realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined <realized the enormity of the task ahead>. envisage and envision imply a conceiving or imagining that is especially clear or detailed <envisaged a totally computerized operation> <envisioned a cure for the disease>.think, cogitate, reflect, reason, speculate, deliberate mean to use one's powers of conception, judgment, or inference. think is general and may apply to any mental activity, but used alone often suggests attainment of clear ideas or conclusions <teaches students how to think>. cogitate implies deep or intent thinking <cogitated on the mysteries of nature>. reflect suggests unhurried consideration of something recalled to the mind <reflecting on fifty years of married life>. reason stresses consecutive logical thinking <able to reason brilliantly in debate>. speculate implies reasoning about things theoretical or problematic <speculated on the fate of the lost explorers>. deliberate suggests slow or careful reasoning before forming an opinion or reaching a conclusion or decision <the jury deliberated for five hours>.
2think
noun
: an act of thinking about something
Full Definition of THINK
: an act of thinking <has another think coming>
See think defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of THINK
1834
3think
adjective
THINKER Defined for Kids
think
verb \ˈthiŋk\
thought \ˈthȯt\think·ing
Definition of THINK for Kids
1
: to have as an opinion or belief <I think you can do it.>
2
: to form or have in the mind <We were afraid to even think what had happened.>
3
: remember 1 <I didn't think to ask.>
4
: to use the power of the mind to understand, find out, or decide <You're just not thinking.>
5
: to consider for some time : ponder <I'm still thinking it over.>
6
: to invent something by thinking <She tried to think up an excuse.>
7
: to hold a strong feeling <They think highly of you.>
8
: to have as a plan <I think I'll call first.>
9
: to care about <I must think first of my family.>
— think·er noun
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