thinking

UK: /ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/ US: /ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/ ,(thing′king)

From the verb think: (⇒ conjugate)

thinking is: ⓘ

v pres p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

think•ing /ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/   adj. [before a noun]

1. able to think or use the mind:
   People are supposed to be thinking animals.
2. thoughtful:
   Any thinking person would reject that plan.

n. [uncountable]

3. thought;
   judgment:
   clear thinking.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

think•ing  (thing′king), adj. 

1. rational;
   reasoning:
   People are thinking animals.
2. thoughtful;
   reflective:
   Any thinking person would reject that plan.

n. 

3. thought;
   judgment, reflection:
   clear thinking.

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

think′ing•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

thinking / ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/ noun

1. opinion or judgment
2. the process of thought

adjective

1. (prenominal) using or capable of using intelligent thought: thinking people
2. put on one's thinking cap ⇒ to ponder a matter or problem

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

think¹ /θɪŋk/   v., thought/θɔt/  think•ing, n. 
v. 

1. to have a conscious mind that can reason, remember, and make decisions:
   [not: be + ~-ing* no object] Descartes said, "I think, therefore I am,'' meaning that the capacity to think was central to what it means to be human.
2. to use one's mind in a reasoning way to make a decision about a given situation:
   [no object] Think carefully before you act.
3. to have a certain thing as the subject of one's thoughts: [no object]
   I was thinking about college the other day.
   [~ + (that) clause]
   I was thinking that our college days were the best years of our lives.
   [used with quotations]
   "That's odd,'' Alice thought.
   [~ + object]
   Think nice thoughts and go to sleep.
4. to call something to one's conscious mind:
   [~ + of + object] to think of others less fortunate than we are.
5. to consider a possible action or plan: [no object]
   thinking about cutting her hair.
   [~ + (that) clause]
   We think that we'll go back to Ithaca some day.
6. to invent or conceive of something:
   [~ + of + object] to think of a plan.
7. to have a belief or opinion:
   [not: be + ~-ing* ~ + (that) clause] I think she is funny.
8. to consider a person or thing as indicated: [~ + adjective + of + object]
   I only think well of her.
   [~ + object + adjective]
   He thought me unkind.
   [~ + object + noun]
   She thought him a total fool.
9. to anticipate or expect:
   [~ + to + verb] I did not think to call you; I know I should have.
10. think over, to evaluate for possible action: [~ + object + over]
    Think the deal over and call us tomorrow.
    [~ + over + object]
    Think over her offer.
11. think through or out, to solve by thinking;
    come up with something by thinking: [~ + through/out + object]
    to think through a problem.
    [~ + object + through/out]
    to think a problem through.
12. think up, to invent;
    devise;
    create;
    come up with: [~ + up + object]
    I couldn't think up a better excuse.
    [~ + object + up]
    to think something up.

n. [countable]

13. Informal Terms the act or a period of thinking:
    First, give it a good think.

Idioms

14. Idioms think better of, [~ + object] to reconsider:
    He was all set to yell at her, but then he thought better of it and kept quiet.
15. Idioms think fit, [no object] to believe or consider (something) to be proper or appropriate:
    Do as you think fit; I trust your judgment.
16. Idioms think little or nothing of, [~ + little/nothing + of + object] to believe (something) to be not worthy of notice;
    belittle or disparage:
    thinks nothing of bicycling 20 miles.
17. Idioms think the world of, [~ + object] to like or admire greatly:
    Her father thinks the world of her.
18. Idioms think twice, to consider carefully before acting:
    urged him to think twice about going to Hanoi.

think•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

think¹  (thingk), v., thought, think•ing, adj., n. 
v.i. 

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. Computing (of a device or machine, esp. a computer) to use artificial intelligence to perform an activity analogous to human thought.

v.t. 

11. to have or form in the mind as an idea, conception, etc.
12. to consider for evaluation or for possible action upon:
    Think the deal over.
13. to regard as specified:
    He thought me unkind.
14. to believe to be true of someone or something:
    to think evil of the neighbors.
15. to analyze or evolve rationally:
    to think the problem out.
16. to have as a plan or intention:
    I thought that I would go.
17. to anticipate or expect:
    I did not think to find you here.
18. think better of, to change one's mind about;
    reconsider:
    She considered emigrating to Australia, but thought better of it.
19. think fit, to consider advisable or appropriate:
    By all means, take a vacation if you think fit.
20. think nothing of. See nothing (def. 17).
21. 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.
22. think out or 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.
23. think twice, to weigh carefully before acting;
    consider:
    I would think twice before taking on such a responsibility.
24. think up, to devise or contrive by thinking:
    Can you think up an arrangement of furniture for this room?

adj. 

25. of or pertaining to thinking or thought.
26. Informal Terms stimulating or challenging to the intellect or mind:
    the think book of the year.
    Cf. think piece. 

n. 

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

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

think² (thingk), v.i., thought, think•ing. [Obs.]

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

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

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

think / θɪŋk/ verb (thinks, thinking, thought)

1. (tr; may take a clause as object) to consider, judge, or believe: he thinks my ideas impractical
2. (intransitive) often followed by about: to exercise the mind as in order to make a decision; ponder
3. (intransitive) to be capable of conscious thought: man is the only animal that thinks
4. to remember; recollect
5. (intransitive) followed by of: to make the mental choice (of): think of a number
6. (may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to expect; suppose
7. to be considerate or aware enough (to do something): he did not think to thank them
8. (intransitive) to focus the attention on being: think thin, think big
9. think twice ⇒ to consider carefully before deciding (about something)

noun

1. a careful, open-minded assessment
2. (modifier) characterized by or involving thinkers, thinking, or thought

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

ˈthinker noun