contemplate

UK: /ˈkɒntəmpleɪt/

US: /ˈkɑntəmˌpleɪt/

US: (kon′təm plāt′, -tem-)

Inflections of 'contemplate' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

contemplates

v 3rd person singular

contemplating

v pres p

contemplated

v past

contemplated

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

con•tem•plate /ˈkɑntəmˌpleɪt/   v. [~ + object] , -plat•ed, -plat•ing. 

1. to look at with continued attention;
   observe thoughtfully:
   The new students contemplated each other nervously.
2. to consider thoroughly;
   think about fully or deeply:
   contemplated the problem before he announced his decision.
3. to have in view as a purpose;
   intend:
   to contemplate bribery.
   [~ + verb-ing]
   We contemplated buying a new car next year.

con•tem•pla•tor, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

con•tem•plate  (kon′təm plāt′, -tem-), v., -plat•ed, -plat•ing. 
v.t. 

1. to look at or view with continued attention;
   observe or study thoughtfully:
   to contemplate the stars.
2. to consider thoroughly;
   think fully or deeply about:
   to contemplate a difficult problem.
3. to have as a purpose;
   intend.
4. to have in view as a future event:
   to contemplate buying a new car.

v.i. 

5. to think studiously;
   meditate;
   consider deliberately.

• Latin contemplātus past participle of contemplāre, contemplārī to survey, observe, equivalent. to con- con- + templ(um) space marked off for augural observation, temple + -ātus -ate¹
• 1585–95

con′tem•plat′ing•ly, adv. 
con′tem•pla′tor, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. gaze at, behold, regard, survey.
• 2. study, ponder.
• 3. design, plan.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

contemplate / ˈkɒntɛmˌpleɪt -təm-/ verb (mainly tr)

1. to think about intently and at length; consider calmly
2. (intransitive) to think intently and at length, esp for spiritual reasons; meditate
3. to look at thoughtfully; observe pensively
4. to have in mind as a possibility

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin contemplāre, from templum temple¹

ˈcontemˌplator noun