think
THIHNGK
Think (verb) means to use one's mind to consider, reason about, or form an opinion. Example: “Take a moment to think before you answer.”
verb
1
To use one's mind to consider, reason about, or form an opinion.
"Take a moment to think before you answer."
"She thought carefully about which university to choose."
"I need to think about this problem for a while before I decide."
2
To hold an opinion or belief.
"I think it's going to rain later."
"Most of my friends think that the new cafe is too noisy."
"Do you think she will come to the party tonight?"
3
To remember or call to mind.
"I can't think of his name right now."
"Let me think; where did I park the car this morning?"
"Can you think what we were supposed to bring to the picnic?"
How to use think
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo use your mind — whether to reason something out, form an opinion, or try to remember something.
Common pairings
think twice
think it over
think outside the box
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Word forms
- Plural
- thinks
- Third person singular
- thinks
- Past tense
- thought
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Take a moment to _____ before you answer.
Etymology
From Old English þenċan, a very old Germanic verb meaning "to think" or "to conceive of".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for think
See all rhymes for think →Frequently asked questions
What does “think” mean?
The word “think” means to use one's mind to consider, reason about, or form an opinion. In plain terms, to use your mind — whether to reason something out, form an opinion, or try to remember something.
How do you pronounce “think”?
“Think” is pronounced THIHNGK (/ˈθɪŋk/ in IPA).
How do you use “think” in a sentence?
Here is “think” used in a sentence: “Take a moment to think before you answer.”
What part of speech is “think”?
“Think” is a verb.
Where does the word “think” come from?
The word “think” comes from Old English. From Old English þenċan, a very old Germanic verb meaning "to think" or "to conceive of".
Is “think” a common word?
“Think” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “think” have?
“Think” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to use one's mind to consider, reason about, or form an opinion.
What is the difference between think and believe?
Think often means to hold an opinion you are not fully certain about, as in 'I think it will rain.' Believe suggests stronger conviction or acceptance that something is true, as in 'I believe in you.' Think leans toward reasoning; believe leans toward faith or firm confidence.
What is the difference between think and know?
To think something is to hold a view or opinion that may still be uncertain. To know something is to be sure of it, usually backed by facts or experience. 'I think the shop is open' expresses a guess; 'I know the shop is open' expresses certainty.
What are the different meanings of think?
Think has a few related senses: to reason or ponder ('let me think'), to hold an opinion ('I think so'), to remember or consider ('think of a number'), and to intend ('I'm thinking of leaving'). All of them involve using the mind, differing mainly in purpose.
What is an example of think in a sentence?
'She sat quietly to think about the offer.' Here think means to consider it carefully. Other examples include 'What do you think of the plan?' asking for an opinion, and 'I can't think straight today,' describing the general act of reasoning clearly.
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