What is think? Pronunciation and usage in English

think means . Learn how to pronounce and use think through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of think

thinkverb

/θɪŋk/
Definition & pronunciation of think

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "think" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • /θɪŋk/ (pronounced like "thingk")

Let's break that down further:

  • “th” sound: This is the key. It’s a voiceless dental fricative. This means you need to place your tongue lightly between your teeth and blow air past it. It's the same "th" sound you use in words like “thin” and “this.” It’s not the same as the “th” in “thought.”
  • “i” sound: This is a short “i” sound, like in “bit” or “sit.”
  • “nk” sound: This is similar to the "nk" in "pink" or "link." It’s a quick, concise sound.

Here's a more detailed guide:

  1. Start with the “th” sound: This is the most difficult part for many. Practice saying "thin" and "this" repeatedly. Make sure you’re feeling the air moving between your tongue and your teeth.

  2. Add the “i” sound: Now say "th" followed by "i" – like “thi.”

  3. Finish with “nk”: Finally, add "nk" to the end – “thingk.”

Resources to help you:

Important Note: There's a less common variation in American English, sometimes pronounced /t hæŋk/ (pronounced like "t hangk"). However, /θɪŋk/ is the most standard and widely accepted pronunciation in most English-speaking regions.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (This helps in understanding regional accents.)

Usage and examples with the word think in English

Let's break down how to use the word "think" in English. It's a remarkably versatile word with lots of different ways to use it! Here's a breakdown categorized by how it's used:

1. As a Verb - To Form an Opinion or Idea:

  • Basic Meaning: This is the most common usage – to form an idea or judgment in your mind.

    • "I think it's going to rain." (expressing a belief)
    • "I think he’s a good person." (forming an opinion)
    • "Let's think about this carefully." (considering something)

  • "I think that..." / "I think...": Often used to introduce a statement.

    • "I think that the weather is beautiful."
    • "I think it's important to study."

  • "Do you think...?" / "Would you think...?": Asking for someone's opinion.

    • "Do you think he’ll win the race?"
    • "Would you think it's a good idea?"

2. As a Verb - To Consider Carefully:

  • Deep Thinking / Pondering: Going beyond a simple opinion to truly consider something.

    • "I'm thinking about my future." (planning and considering options)
    • "She was thinking deeply about the problem." (contemplating seriously)
    • "He’s been thinking about quitting his job." (seriously considering a big decision)

  • Thinking Through: Working through a problem or process.

    • "Let's think through the steps involved." (planning and analyzing)
    • “I need to think through this carefully before I decide.”

3. As a Verb - To Believe (Often with "believe"):

  • Belief as a Result of Thinking: Often paired with “believe” to indicate a reasoned or thoughtful belief.
    • "I think he’s lying." (I believe he’s lying, based on evidence/reasoning)
    • "I think she is correct."

4. Phrases Using "Think":

  • Think about: To consider something. “Think about what I said.”
  • Think of: To imagine or come up with an idea. “I can’t think of anything to do.” Or “Think of a solution!”
  • Think to yourself: To be silent to oneself, often in thought. “She was thinking to herself, ‘This is too hard.’”
  • Think outside the box: To be creative and unconventional. “You need to think outside the box to solve this.”
  • Figure out: To solve a problem or understand something. “I need to figure out how to fix this.” (Often used interchangeably with "think" in informal speech)
  • Think over: To consider something carefully and for a period of time. “Think over your decision.”
  • Think up: To invent or create something. "He thought up a brilliant idea."

5. “Thinking” as a Noun (Referring to the process of thinking):

  • "The thinking process is crucial for learning."
  • "I have a lot of thinking to do."

Important Notes:

  • Contractions: “I think” is commonly contracted to “I’m thinking.”
  • Level of Formality: “Think” is generally informal. For more formal writing, consider using “consider” or “reflect.”

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you interested in? (e.g., writing, speaking, a specific situation like an interview?)
  • Are there any specific ways you're struggling to use "think"? (e.g., forming opinions, asking questions, etc.)

Synonyms for the word think

Idioms of the word think

behave/act as if you own the place | think you own the place
(disapproving)to behave in a very confident way that annoys other people, for example by telling them what to do
  • She was acting as if she owned the place.
come to think of it
used when you suddenly remember something or realize that it might be important
  • Come to think of it, he did mention seeing you.
great minds think alike
(informal, humorous)used to say that you and another person must both be very clever because you have had the same idea or agree about something
    I don’t think so
    (informal)used to say very strongly that you do not agree with something, or that something is not possible
    • Me? Fail? I don't think so.
    if/when you think about it
    used to draw attention to a fact that is not obvious or has not previously been mentioned
    • It was a difficult situation, when you think about it.
    I/I’d like to think
    used to say that you hope or believe that something is true
    • I like to think I'm broad-minded.
    • I’d like to think that you were helping me because you wanted to, not because you felt you had to.
    I thought as much
    that is what I expected or suspected
    • ‘He said he'd forgotten.’ ‘I thought as much.’
    let me see/think | let's see
    used when you are thinking or trying to remember something
    • Now let me see—where did he say he lived?
    see/think fit (to do something)
    (formal)to consider it right or acceptable to do something; to decide or choose to do something
    • You must do as you think fit (= but I don't agree with your decision).
    • The newspaper did not see fit to publish my letter (= and I criticize it for that).
    speak/think ill of somebody
    (formal)to say or think bad things about somebody
    • Don't speak ill of the dead.
    think again
    to consider a situation again and perhaps change your idea or intention
    • You really should think again about that.
    think aloud/out loud
    to say what your thoughts are as you have them
      think (the) better of somebody
      to have a higher opinion of somebody
      • She has behaved appallingly—I must say I thought better of her.
      think better of it/of doing something
      to decide not to do something after thinking further about it
      • Rosie was about to protest but thought better of it.
      think for yourself
      to form your own opinions and make decisions without depending on others
        think/speak ill of somebody
        (formal)to say or think bad things about somebody
        • I wouldn't want them to think ill of me.
        think nothing of something/of doing something
        to consider an activity to be normal and not particularly unusual or difficult
        • She thinks nothing of walking thirty miles a day.
        think nothing of it
        (formal)used as a polite response when somebody has said sorry to you or thanked you
          think on your feet
          to be able to think and react to things very quickly and effectively without any preparation
            think out of the box
            to think about something, or how to do something, in a way that is new, different or shows imagination
              think straight
              to think in a clear or logical way
              • The drugs were affecting her and she couldn't think straight.
              think twice about something/about doing something
              to think carefully before deciding to do something
              • You should think twice about employing someone you've never met.
              think the world, highly, a lot, poorly, little, etc. of somebody/something
              to have a very good, poor, etc. opinion of somebody/something
              • He thinks the world of his daughter.
              • I don't think much of her idea.
              to think (that…)
              used to show that you are surprised or shocked by something
              • To think that my mother wrote all those books and I never knew!

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