Phrase guide

thought bubble

noun · 2 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

noun

Meaning 1

A rounded or cloud-shaped outline, usually containing words, representing thought in a cartoon, and typically emanating from the thinker by a path of small circles.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: thought balloon

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

An ill-conceived idea.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

13 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Albanian: shtëllungë mendimi — rounded outline
  • Chinese Mandarin: 思想泡泡 (sīxiǎng pàopào) — rounded outline
  • Chinese Mandarin: 思考泡泡 (sīkǎo pàopào) — rounded outline
  • Finnish: ajatuskupla — rounded outline
  • German: Gedankenblase — rounded outline
  • Māori: poihau whakaaro — rounded outline
  • Polish: chmurka — rounded outline
  • Polish: dymek — rounded outline
  • Portuguese: balão de pensamento — rounded outline
  • Swedish: tankebubbla — rounded outline
  • Chinese Mandarin: 餿主意 /馊主意 (sōuzhǔyì) — ill-conceived idea
  • Finnish: huono ajatus — ill-conceived idea
  • Polish: zły pomysł — ill-conceived idea