think
think — adjective
1. connected with or requiring the use of the mind to form ideas, solve problems, o
connected with or requiring the use of the mind to form ideas, solve problems, or analyze information — used mainly before a noun.
The professor published a think piece on the future of education.
think piece — a written work with personal ideas
A think tank in Washington released a new report on climate policy.
think tank — a group of experts
Her book is full of thought-provoking ideas about how cities grow.
think piece, thought-provoking — related to intellectual work
The school hired a think tank to improve student performance.
- think piece
- think tank
- think time
- analytical
focuses on logical breakdown of information
- intellectual
broader — relates to the mind and academic work
Grammar Patterns
think + noun
Usage Note
This adjective form of 'think' is almost always used before a noun in fixed phrases such as 'think piece' or 'think tank'. It does not normally appear after a linking verb.
Common Mistakes
think — noun
1. a short period in which you use your mind to consider something, form an opinion
a short period in which you use your mind to consider something, form an opinion, or make a decision.
Let me have a think and I will call you back this afternoon.
have a think — consider before deciding
The store manager said she needed a quiet think before approving the new display budget.
After a long think, Viktor decided to accept the job offer in Hanoi.
Lek gave the job offer a long think before calling the recruiter back to accept it.
give something a think — consider before deciding
- have a think
- give it a think
- need a think
- quiet think
- thought
more common and neutral than 'think' as a noun
- consideration
more formal, implies careful attention
- moment of reflection
emphasizes quiet, personal thinking
Grammar Patterns
have a think
need a think
Usage Note
Almost always used in the singular with the indefinite article ('a think') or in fixed phrases. 'Have a think' is informal; in formal writing, 'give it some thought' is preferred.
Common Mistakes
think — verb
1. to hold a particular belief or view about someone or something in your mind — fo
to hold a particular belief or view about someone or something in your mind — for example, thinking that a movie is good, or thinking that a friend is honest.
Layla thinks the new café is overpriced but the coffee is excellent.
think + that-clause for opinion
Do you think it will rain before the wedding ceremony starts?
Most voters think the mayor is doing a good job with the schools.
Yael did not think the exam was fair, so she wrote a complaint.
Mika thinks the family should leave the airport before the evening rush hour starts.
think + should for suggesting
- think that
- think highly of
- think poorly of
- think of someone as
- doubt
to lack belief or certainty about something
Grammar Patterns
think + (that) + clause
think + object + (to be) + complement
Usage Note
With this sense, 'think' is often followed by a that-clause (the 'that' is optional in informal use). When expressing negative opinions, use 'do not think' + positive clause — for example, 'I don't think she is right' rather than 'I think she is not right'.
Common Mistakes
2. to have a negative or critical view of someone or their actions; not to respect
to have a negative or critical view of someone or their actions; not to respect or approve of them.
The neighbours thought badly of the family after the shouting was heard late at night.
think badly of — negative opinion
Romi said she thinks less of people who never admit their mistakes.
think less of — reduced respect
Niran's boss thought poorly of the proposal and asked for a new draft.
The teacher never thought ill of any student, even the difficult ones.
think ill of — formal negative opinion
- think badly of
- think less of
- think poorly of
- think ill of
- look down on
stronger, implies feeling superior
- disapprove of
formal, focuses on specific actions rather than the whole person
- think highly of
to have a positive opinion
Grammar Patterns
think less of someone
think badly of someone
Usage Note
This sense nearly always requires a word that shows the negative judgment — such as 'badly', 'less', 'poorly', or 'ill'. Without such a word, 'think of someone' reverts to the neutral opinion sense.
Common Mistakes
3. to care about someone's feelings, needs, or wishes before acting or making a dec
to care about someone's feelings, needs, or wishes before acting or making a decision.
Stefan always thinks about his grandparents before booking holiday flights.
think about + someone's needs
The manager did not think of the staff when he scheduled the meeting at seven in the morning.
think of — consider someone's situation
Please think of the neighbours and keep the music down after ten o'clock.
Hana thought about how her decision would affect her younger brother.
- think about someone
- think of someone
- think about feelings
- consider
more formal, can apply to both people and abstract factors
- care for
focuses on emotional concern
- take into account
formal, emphasizes inclusion in decision-making
- ignore
to deliberately pay no attention to someone's needs
Grammar Patterns
think about + someone
think of + someone
Usage Note
Distinguish from verb/1 (HAVE OPINION): this sense focuses on being considerate rather than forming a belief. Often used with 'think of' or 'think about' followed by a person or group.
Common Mistakes
4. to hold an intention in your mind about a future action, without being fully dec
to hold an intention in your mind about a future action, without being fully decided yet.
Manuela is thinking of studying nursing at the university in Porto.
think of + -ing for intention
Rodrigo thought about moving to Madrid but decided to stay in Seville.
think about + -ing for considering a plan
Wei is thinking of buying a used car this spring to drive to his new job.
Jabari said he never thought about becoming a teacher until his last year of college.
The couple is thinking of adopting a puppy from the local shelter.
- think of doing
- think about doing
- thinking of buying
- thinking of moving
- dismiss
to decide not to consider an idea any further
Grammar Patterns
think of + -ing
think about + -ing
Usage Note
To express a firm decision that has been made, use 'plan to' or 'intend to' instead of 'think of/about'. The 'think of/about + -ing' structure means the idea exists in your mind but the plan may not be final.
Common Mistakes
5. to actively engage your mind — forming ideas, reasoning through a topic, or reac
to actively engage your mind — forming ideas, reasoning through a topic, or reaching an understanding of something.
The children sat quietly in the library, each one thinking hard about their math problem.
think hard — use the mind with effort
Kenji needs to think through all the options before he chooses a university.
think through — consider all aspects
Stephanie thought about the puzzle for an hour before she found the answer.
The team brainstormed a solution to the software bug.
brainstormed — group thinking to solve a problem
The chess champion took a deep breath and tried to think clearly as the clock ticked down.
think clearly — logical thinking
- think hard
- think about
- think through
- think clearly
- think creatively
- ignore
to avoid thinking about something
Grammar Patterns
think about + noun
think through + noun
think hard
Usage Note
This is the broadest sense of 'think' — it covers any active mental activity. When you want to specify the type of thinking, add an adverb ('think clearly', 'think logically', 'think creatively') or a preposition ('think about a problem', 'think through a plan').
Common Mistakes
6. to spend time carefully considering something, especially a decision, from all s
to spend time carefully considering something, especially a decision, from all sides before taking action.
Defne thought the offer over for three days before she signed the contract.
think over — consider carefully before deciding
You should think twice before lending money to someone you have just met.
think twice — be cautious before acting
The board thought long and hard about the merger before voting on it.
Sade took a week to think over the proposal and then asked for changes.
- think over
- think twice
- think long and hard
- think carefully
- consider
slightly more formal, often used in business contexts
- weigh up
British English, compares pros and cons
- deliberate
formal, suggests careful formal consideration
- rush
to act without careful thought
Grammar Patterns
think + (something) over
think twice
think carefully
Usage Note
Distinguish from verb/5 (USE MIND): verb/5 is about any mental activity (solving, planning, imagining), while this sense specifically means evaluating a decision before committing. Often used with 'over' or in the fixed phrase 'think twice'.
Common Mistakes
7. to speak your thoughts as they come into your mind without planning or editing w
to speak your thoughts as they come into your mind without planning or editing what you say first.
„I wonder where I put the keys,„ the old man thought aloud as he searched the kitchen.
think aloud — speak thoughts without planning
The programmer was thinking out loud while debugging the code, and her colleague listened carefully.
think out loud — same as think aloud
Fatima thinks aloud while planning the weekly menu at the restaurant, and her cooks write down her ideas.
Mei stared at the test and thought aloud — 'That volume formula looks wrong' — before erasing her answer.
- think aloud
- think out loud
- mutter
quieter and less clear speech, often not meant to be heard
- talk to oneself
broader — can be planned or unplanned speech
Grammar Patterns
think aloud
think out loud
Usage Note
This sense is almost always used with 'aloud' or 'out loud'. 'Think aloud' is slightly more common in British English; 'think out loud' is more common in American English. It is not about a habit of speaking — it describes a specific moment of vocalising thoughts.
Common Mistakes
8. to bring a memory, image, or idea into your mind from the past, or to form a pic
to bring a memory, image, or idea into your mind from the past, or to form a picture of something that does not yet exist.
Valentina thought of her grandmother every time she smelled fresh bread.
think of — bring a memory to mind
Can you think of a good name for our new puppy?
think of — produce an idea
Thinking back to his childhood, Mathieu remembered the summers at his uncle's farm.
think back to — remember a past time
Try to think what the city will look like in fifty more years.
think + wh-clause for imagining
- think of
- think about
- think back to
- think of a way
- think what
- forget
to be unable to bring a memory to mind
Grammar Patterns
think of + noun
think about + noun
think back to
Usage Note
When used for remembering, 'think of' is more natural than 'think about'. 'Think about' suggests longer reflection. 'Think back to' is a phrasal verb specifically for recalling past events. For imagining, a wh-clause ('think what it would be like') is common.
Common Mistakes
think about
phrasal verbTo consider something or have thoughts about it.
I need to think about your proposal before deciding.
What are you thinking about right now?
think ahead
phrasal verbTo think about and plan for future events.
It's wise to think ahead and save money for retirement.
The team thought ahead and prepared for possible delays.
think back
phrasal verbTo think about something that happened in the past.
Think back to your childhood; what was your favorite toy?
When I think back, I realize how much I've learned.
think of
phrasal verbTo have a thought about someone or something; to consider or remember.
Can you think of a good name for the project?
I often think of my friends from college.
think out
phrasal verbTo consider all aspects of something carefully before acting.
We need to think out the plan before presenting it.
She thought out every detail of the event.
think over
phrasal verbTo consider something carefully before making a decision.
Take some time to think over the offer.
I'll think over your suggestion and get back to you.
think through
phrasal verbTo consider all possible results of a decision or action.
We need to think through the consequences of this move.
She thought through her speech carefully.
think up
phrasal verbTo create or invent something in your mind.
He thought up a clever excuse for being late.
Can you think up a better solution?
To act in a very confident way that annoys others, like telling them what to do.
Mia walked in and started ordering everyone around as if she owned the place.
Does Brian think he owns the place? He just moved in yesterday.
come to think of it
idiomUsed when you suddenly remember something or realize it might be important.
Come to think of it, I left my keys on the kitchen table.
Come to think of it, Sara did mention she was moving next month.
Used to say that you and another person are both clever because you had the same idea.
You chose the same gift? Great minds think alike!
I was about to suggest that restaurant. Great minds think alike, Diego.
I don’t think so
idiomUsed to strongly disagree or say something is not possible.
You think he'll apologize? I don't think so.
Me? Forget your birthday? I don't think so!
Used to draw attention to a fact that is not obvious or has not been mentioned.
When you think about it, the plan was risky from the start.
It's actually a great opportunity, when you think about it.
I/I’d like to think
idiomUsed to say that you hope or believe something is true.
I'd like to think that my advice helped him.
I'd like to think we made the right decision.
I thought as much
idiomUsed to say that something is what you expected or suspected.
He said he forgot the meeting. I thought as much.
The test was cancelled? I thought as much when I saw the empty room.
Used when you are thinking or trying to remember something.
Let me see... I think the appointment is at three.
Let me see, where did I put my glasses?
To consider it right or acceptable to do something; to decide to do something.
The manager did not see fit to approve my request.
You may leave whenever you see fit.
To say or think bad things about someone.
It's not polite to speak ill of the dead.
I never speak ill of my colleagues behind their backs.
think again
idiomTo consider a situation again and possibly change your idea or intention.
If you think he's honest, you should think again.
You really need to think again before quitting your job.
think aloud/out loud
idiomTo say your thoughts out loud as you have them.
Sorry, I was just thinking aloud. Don't mind me.
The detective thought aloud while examining the clues.
To have a higher opinion of someone.
I thought better of him after he helped the old lady.
She lied to us; I must say I thought better of her.
To decide not to do something after thinking further about it.
Tom was about to argue but thought better of it.
She considered skipping class but thought better of it.
think for yourself
idiomTo form your own opinions and make decisions without depending on others.
Teachers should encourage students to think for themselves.
Don't just follow the crowd; learn to think for yourself.
To have a bad opinion of someone.
I wouldn't want them to think ill of me.
She thinks ill of anyone who disagrees with her.
To consider an activity normal and not unusual or difficult.
He thinks nothing of walking ten miles to work.
Maya thinks nothing of staying up all night to study.
think nothing of it
idiomUsed as a polite response when someone says sorry or thanks.
Thank you for your help. — Think nothing of it.
I'm sorry for the trouble. — Think nothing of it.
think on your feet
idiomTo be able to think and react quickly and effectively without preparation.
A good debater can think on their feet.
During the interview, she had to think on her feet.
think out of the box
idiomTo think about something in a new, different, or imaginative way.
To solve this problem, we need to think out of the box.
The designer always thinks out of the box to create unique products.
think straight
idiomTo think in a clear or logical way.
After the accident, I couldn't think straight.
With all that noise, it's hard to think straight.
To think carefully before deciding to do something.
You should think twice before investing all your savings.
She thought twice about accepting the job offer.
To have a very high opinion of someone.
He thinks the world of his grandmother.
The teacher thinks the world of her students.
to think (that…)
idiomUsed to show surprise or shock about something.
To think that she won the lottery and didn't tell anyone!
To think that we almost missed the flight!
Word family
- thoughtnounA2
- thoughtfuladjectiveB1
- thoughtlessadjectiveB2
- thinkernounB2
- rethinkverbB2
- unthinkableadjectiveC1
- thinkableadjectiveC2
- thought-provokingadjectiveC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
All five words relate to forming an opinion, but they differ in certainty and scope. 'Think' is the most general and neutral — you use it for everyday opinions ('I think this soup needs more salt'). 'Believe' expresses stronger conviction, often about moral or personal matters ('She believes that honesty is always the best policy'). 'Suppose' suggests a weaker guess with some uncertainty ('I suppose the train will arrive soon — though I am not certain'). 'Assume' means you accept something as true without proof, often as a starting point ('We assumed the tickets were included, but they were not'). 'Consider' is more deliberate and analytical — it means you examine something from multiple angles before forming an opinion ('The committee considered every option before voting'). When you tell a friend your view, use 'think'. When you state a core personal value, use 'believe'. When you work through a problem step by step, 'consider' fits best.
Common collocations
Nouns
- think tank
- think piece
- think time
Adverbs
- think carefully
- think clearly
- think deeply
- think seriously
- think twice
Phrases
- have a think
- think again
- think back to
- think out loud
Prepositions
Etymology
The word 'think' comes from Old English 'þencan', meaning 'to conceive in the mind, consider, intend'. It traces back through Proto-Germanic *thankjan to the Proto-Indo-European root *tong-, which carried the sense of 'thinking, feeling'. Interestingly, 'think' is historically related to 'thank' — both come from the same ancient root that connected the idea of thinking with the expression of gratitude, since thanking was originally 'thinking kindly of someone'. The noun 'thought' developed from the same source.