Phrase guide

think of

verb · 10 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To create in one's mind; to originate an idea through thought.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • I only had ten minutes to think of a solution.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

Used to suggest an aberrant thought, idea or action.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Oh no! I put the casserole in the freezer and the ice cream in the oven. What was I thinking of?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

Consider, used to emphasise a reason to act in a certain way.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: imperative, often

Examples

  • We can't employ a gardener as well as a handyman. Think of the expense!
  • I can't turn down the offer. Think of what we could do with that money!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see think, of. (to think on the subject of)

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • I spend a lot of time thinking of Karen and the times we shared.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

keep in mind for attention or consideration

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Remember the Alamo
  • Remember to call your mother every day!
  • Think of the starving children in India!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: remember

Antonyms: none provided

Narrower terms: mind, bear in mind, retain, keep note, qualify, characterize, characterise

6

verb

Meaning 6

look on as or consider

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • she looked on this affair as a joke
  • He thinks of himself as a brilliant musician
  • He is reputed to be intelligent

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: repute, regard as, look upon, look on, esteem, take to be

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: think, believe, consider, conceive

7

verb

Meaning 7

take into consideration, have in view

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • He entertained the notion of moving to South America

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: entertain, toy with, flirt with, think about

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: contemplate

8

verb

Meaning 8

choose in one's mind

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Think of any integer between 1 and 25

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: choose, take, select, pick out

9

verb

Meaning 9

intend to refer to

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • I'm thinking of good food when I talk about France
  • Yes, I meant you when I complained about people who gossip!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: have in mind, mean

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: associate, tie in, relate, link, colligate, link up, connect

Narrower terms: mention, advert, bring up, cite, name, refer

10

verb

Meaning 10

devise or invent

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • He thought up a plan to get rich quickly
  • no-one had ever thought of such a clever piece of software

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: think up, dream up, hatch, concoct

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: create by mental act, create mentally

Narrower terms: idealize, idealise, fabricate, manufacture, cook up, make up, invent

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: sich einfallen lassen — To create in one's mind; to originate an idea through thought
  • German: ersinnen — To create in one's mind; to originate an idea through thought
  • Ingrian: duumata — To create in one's mind; to originate an idea through thought
  • Old English: āþenċan — To create in one's mind; to originate an idea through thought
  • Russian: придумать (pridumatʹ) — To create in one's mind; to originate an idea through thought
  • Spanish: pensar en — To create in one's mind; to originate an idea through thought
  • Esperanto: konsideri — consider, used to emphasise a reason