1think 
/ˈθɪŋk/ verb
thinks; thought /ˈθɪŋk/ verb /ˈθɑ:t/; think·ing 1 : to believe that something is true, that a particular situation exists, that something will happen, etc. [+ obj] — often + that ▪ I thought (that) I heard your voice. ▪ She thinks (that) she knows the answer. ▪ I think (that) you can do it. ▪ We didn't think [=expect] (that) we would have any trouble. ▪ Did you really/honestly think (that) I would agree with you? ▪ I never thought (that) I would become a teacher. ▪ Who would have thought (that) we would meet each other here? ▪ He never thought (that) she would leave him. ▪ I hate to think (that) we will never see each other again. ▪ It was once thought (that) the Earth was flat. = The Earth was once thought to be flat. ▪ He is thought to have drowned. ▪ “Has she accepted the job?” “I (don't) think so.” ▪ Am I right in thinking (that) you used to work there? ▪ “I can beat you.” “That's what you think.” [=you might believe that you can beat me, but you're wrong] ▪ “Where is he?” “He's still at home.” “I thought as much.” [=I thought he was still at home] ▪ Well, yes. I should think so. ▪ You would think (that) the school would have dictionaries in the classrooms. [=the school should have dictionaries in the classroom] ▪ $50 is enough, I would have thought. [no obj] ▪ It's going to be much more difficult than they think. [=suspect, expect] ▪ We may finish sooner than you think. 2 : to have an opinion about someone or something [+ obj] ▪ It's hot in here, don't you think? [=don't you agree?] ▪ People think he is one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time. = He is thought to be one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time. ▪ I think he should apologize. = I should/would think he would apologize. ▪ Is this a good use of our tax dollars? I think not/so. [=I don't/do believe that it is] ▪ You should think yourself [=consider yourself] lucky/fortunate to have gotten off with only a warning! — often + that ▪ I thought (that) the movie was excellent. ▪ He thinks (that) he is a good writer. ▪ Where do you think (that) we should eat? ▪ Do you think (that) we should buy the house? ▪ They think (that) it is unfair to have a rule like that. = They think it unfair to have a rule like that. [no obj] — + about or of ▪ What did you think about/of the movie? [=did you like or dislike the movie?] ▪ I told him exactly what I thought of him! 3 : to form or have (a particular thought) in your mind [+ obj] ▪ “He's handsome,” she thought (to herself). ▪ You should relax and try to think pleasant thoughts. ▪ I was just thinking what it would be like to be a doctor. ▪ I dread to think how he will react. ▪ Why do you always think the worst? ▪ Just think how nice it would be to live here. [no obj] ▪ Just think—in two days we'll be on vacation, lying on the beach. — usually + about or of ▪ I was just thinking about you. ▪ I was thinking of the time we rented that cabin in the mountains. ▪ Just think about how much money we'll save. 4 a : to use your mind to understand or decide something [no obj] ▪ Think before you answer the question. ▪ The game teaches students how to think. ▪ Let me think. Where did I see your car keys? ▪ We thought long and hard about it before we reached our decision. ▪ Don't disturb him: he's thinking. ▪ You have to think positive/positively if you want to succeed. — often + about ▪ The lecture gave the students a lot to think about. ▪ I have thought very deeply about this problem, trying to find an answer. ▪ Think about the offer. You might change your mind. ▪ Do you ever think about what you are going to do after you graduate? ▪ If/When you think about it, the argument does make sense. [+ obj] ▪ Give me a minute to think what to do. ▪ He couldn't think where they would have gone. ▪ You're awfully quiet. What are you thinking? ▪ I can't believe he did that! What was he thinking?
b [+ obj] : to have thoughts about (something)
▪ She talks and thinks business all the time. ▪ He is always thinking [=thinking about] money. 5 [+ obj] : to remember (something)
▪ Can you think where you put it? ▪ She was trying to think where she had heard that name before. — often followed by to + verb ▪ Neither of us thought to close the garage door. ▪ She never thinks to call home. ▪ He never thought to ask how we are doing. 6 [+ obj] : to have thoughts about possibly doing (something) : to have the intention of doing (something)
▪ I think I'll give him a call today. 7 [+ obj] a — used to make a statement or suggestion less definite ▪ They used to live here, I think. [=I believe that they used to live here, although I'm not sure] ▪ I thought maybe we could go for a walk in the park. ▪ I was thinking we might have dinner together some time.
b — used to politely ask someone to do something or give you something ▪ Do you think (that) you could give me a ride to the airport? [=could you give me a ride to the airport?] ▪ Do you think I could borrow the car tonight, Dad?
c — used in questions that show anger or surprise about what someone has done or is doing ▪ What do you think you're doing? I just said you couldn't have one. ▪ Where do you think you're going? [=where are you going?] No one gave you permission to leave. ▪ Who do you think you are, barging in here like that?
b [+ obj] : to have thoughts about (something)
▪ She talks and thinks business all the time. ▪ He is always thinking [=thinking about] money.
▪ Can you think where you put it? ▪ She was trying to think where she had heard that name before. — often followed by to + verb ▪ Neither of us thought to close the garage door. ▪ She never thinks to call home. ▪ He never thought to ask how we are doing.
▪ I think I'll give him a call today.
b — used to politely ask someone to do something or give you something ▪ Do you think (that) you could give me a ride to the airport? [=could you give me a ride to the airport?] ▪ Do you think I could borrow the car tonight, Dad?
c — used in questions that show anger or surprise about what someone has done or is doing ▪ What do you think you're doing? I just said you couldn't have one. ▪ Where do you think you're going? [=where are you going?] No one gave you permission to leave. ▪ Who do you think you are, barging in here like that?
come to think of it — see 1come
don't even think about (doing) it
informal — used to tell someone in a forceful way that something is not allowed ▪ It's illegal to park here. Don't even think about it!
not think anything of
: to not think of (something) as being important or unusual
▪ I didn't think anything of it at the time—but it turned out to be the clue that would solve the case. ▪ I didn't think anything of his wearing a long coat since it was cold outside.
▪ I didn't think anything of it at the time—but it turned out to be the clue that would solve the case. ▪ I didn't think anything of his wearing a long coat since it was cold outside.
not think much of
: to not like (someone or something) very much
▪ They didn't think much of my idea. ▪ Though the singer was very popular, she didn't think much of him.
▪ They didn't think much of my idea. ▪ Though the singer was very popular, she didn't think much of him.
think again
informal — used to say that what someone believes, expects, etc., is not true or will not happen ▪ If you think you can get away with this, think again. [=you are wrong]
think ahead
: to prepare for a future event or situation by thinking about what might happen
▪ We should have thought ahead and brought an umbrella.
▪ We should have thought ahead and brought an umbrella.
think aloud or think out loud
: to say your thoughts so that other people can hear them
▪ No, I wasn't talking to you. I was just thinking out loud.
▪ No, I wasn't talking to you. I was just thinking out loud.
think back [phrasal verb]
: to think about something that happened in the past — often + to ▪ Thinking back to my childhood, I remember summers at the beach. ▪ Think back to that night. What were you doing?
think better of
: to decide not to do (something) after thinking further about it
▪ She was going to make a comment but thought better of it.
▪ She was going to make a comment but thought better of it.
think big — see 2big
think fit — see 1fit
think for yourself
: to form opinions and make decisions without help from other people
▪ Don't let others tell you what to believe. You need to learn to think for yourself.
▪ Don't let others tell you what to believe. You need to learn to think for yourself.
think less of
: to not respect (someone) as much as you did before : to have a worse opinion of (someone)
▪ I hope you don't think (any) less of me now that you know about the trouble I got into when I was younger.
▪ I hope you don't think (any) less of me now that you know about the trouble I got into when I was younger.
think nothing of 1 : to not hesitate at all about (doing something that other people think is very difficult or dangerous)
▪ She thinks nothing of running 10 miles. 2 think nothing of it — used as a polite response when someone has apologized to you or thanked you ▪ “Thanks for the ride.” “Think nothing of it—I was going in this direction anyway.” ▪ “I'm so sorry.” “It's all right. Think nothing of it.”
▪ She thinks nothing of running 10 miles.
think of [phrasal verb] 1 think of (something) a : to have thoughts about possibly doing (something)
▪ She is thinking of applying to grad school. ▪ He thought of sending an e-mail but decided against it. ▪ She couldn't think of ever leaving her children.
b : to use your mind to form or invent (something)
▪ The best plan they could think of was to leave. ▪ “Can you give me an example?” “I'll think of something.” ▪ I can't think of one reason why you shouldn't do it. ▪ Cell phones that can access the Internet and take pictures—what will they think of next?
c : to remember (something)
▪ I can think of plenty of other times when you were wrong. ▪ I can't think of her name at the moment. ▪ I just thought of a good joke. ▪ She thought of her old home when she saw the picture. 2 think of (someone or something) a : to have a particular kind of opinion about (someone or something)
▪ The hiring committee thought highly of her. [=had a high opinion of her] ▪ She thinks a great deal of her doctor. [=she likes/respects her doctor very much] ▪ I wouldn't want you to think badly of me. ▪ He thinks the world of his family. [=his family is very important to him]
b : to form or have an idea about (someone or something)
▪ People are thinking of her for president. [=are thinking that she should be the president] ▪ Are you thinking of any place in particular? ▪ I am thinking of a number between 1 and 10. ▪ I'll be thinking of you in my prayers. ▪ He thinks of them with great affection.
c : to be concerned about (someone or something) when you make decisions about what to do
▪ I must think first of my family. ▪ You should think of your job security. ▪ She is always thinking of the welfare of others. 3 think of (someone or something) as (someone or something) : to believe that (someone or something) is (a particular type of person or thing) or has (a particular quality)
▪ He thinks of himself as a good writer. [=he thinks/believes that he is a good writer] ▪ I think of you guys as my family. ▪ Play can be thought of as a child's work since it is through play that children learn.
▪ She is thinking of applying to grad school. ▪ He thought of sending an e-mail but decided against it. ▪ She couldn't think of ever leaving her children.
b : to use your mind to form or invent (something)
▪ The best plan they could think of was to leave. ▪ “Can you give me an example?” “I'll think of something.” ▪ I can't think of one reason why you shouldn't do it. ▪ Cell phones that can access the Internet and take pictures—what will they think of next?
c : to remember (something)
▪ I can think of plenty of other times when you were wrong. ▪ I can't think of her name at the moment. ▪ I just thought of a good joke. ▪ She thought of her old home when she saw the picture.
▪ The hiring committee thought highly of her. [=had a high opinion of her] ▪ She thinks a great deal of her doctor. [=she likes/respects her doctor very much] ▪ I wouldn't want you to think badly of me. ▪ He thinks the world of his family. [=his family is very important to him]
b : to form or have an idea about (someone or something)
▪ People are thinking of her for president. [=are thinking that she should be the president] ▪ Are you thinking of any place in particular? ▪ I am thinking of a number between 1 and 10. ▪ I'll be thinking of you in my prayers. ▪ He thinks of them with great affection.
c : to be concerned about (someone or something) when you make decisions about what to do
▪ I must think first of my family. ▪ You should think of your job security. ▪ She is always thinking of the welfare of others.
▪ He thinks of himself as a good writer. [=he thinks/believes that he is a good writer] ▪ I think of you guys as my family. ▪ Play can be thought of as a child's work since it is through play that children learn.
think out [phrasal verb]
think out (something) or think (something) out : to think about (something, such as a problem) for a period of time in an effort to find a solution, make a decision, etc.
▪ He spent hours thinking out the solution to the physics problem. ▪ I need time to think things out. ▪ The details of the contract have been carefully thought out. ▪ Your argument is well thought out.
▪ He spent hours thinking out the solution to the physics problem. ▪ I need time to think things out. ▪ The details of the contract have been carefully thought out. ▪ Your argument is well thought out.
think outside the box — see 1box
think over [phrasal verb]
think (something) over or think over (something) : to think about (something) for a period of time especially in an effort to understand or make a decision about it
▪ I'll give you time to think the matter over. ▪ Think it over, and let me know what you decide. ▪ I've thought over what you said, and you're right.
▪ I'll give you time to think the matter over. ▪ Think it over, and let me know what you decide. ▪ I've thought over what you said, and you're right.
think through [phrasal verb]
think (something) through or think through (something) : to think about all the different parts or effects of (something) for a period of time especially in an effort to understand or make a decision about it
▪ I need time to think this through. ▪ We have thought through the matter and have come to a decision.
▪ I need time to think this through. ▪ We have thought through the matter and have come to a decision.
think twice
informal : to think seriously about whether you really want to do something before you do it
▪ I'd think twice about/before doing that if I were you.
▪ I'd think twice about/before doing that if I were you.
think up [phrasal verb]
think up (something) or think (something) up informal : to use your mind to form or invent (something)
▪ Quick! We have to think up an excuse. ▪ They thought up a new way of raising money for charity.
▪ Quick! We have to think up an excuse. ▪ They thought up a new way of raising money for charity.
to think
— used to express surprise or shock ▪ To think (that) he lied to you! ▪ To think, all we needed to do was to wait a few more days.
