DictionaryAI

thought

SayTHAWT/θɔt/UK/θɔːt/

Noun pluralthoughts

8 meanings of thought

Practice

  1. 1
    verb
    Simple past and past participle of think, as in 'I thought', 'I have thought' and 'it is thought'.

    She thought about the offer all night before answering.

    He thought the test was easy until he reached the last page.

    UsageSay I thought, not thinked.

    Note
  2. 2
    nouncountable
    An idea or picture that forms in your mind.

    Like a small picture that appears in your mind without you seeing it with your eyes.

    A strange thought popped into her head during dinner.

    He shared his thoughts about the movie on the drive home.

    UsageSay the thought of something.

    Similaridea, notion, reflection, musing

  3. 3
    reasoningnoununcountable
    The act or process of using your mind to think.

    Like a machine working inside your head that keeps making ideas.

    Human thought is what sets us apart from other animals.

    Clear thought helps you solve hard problems.

    UsageSay lost in thought.

    Similarthinking

    Note
  4. 4
    noununcountable
    Careful attention given to something before you decide.

    Like looking at something from every side before you choose.

    She gave the plan a lot of thought before saying yes.

    Put some thought into your answer before you write it down.

    UsageSay give it some thought.

    Similarreflection, deliberation, contemplation, meditation, pondering

  5. 5
    body of ideasnoununcountable
    A set of ideas linked with a person, group, time, place, or subject.

    Like the shared way of seeing the world that a whole group of people carries.

    Eastern thought often puts a high value on balance and harmony.

    Greek thought shaped much of early science and math.

    UsageSay Greek thought or Eastern thought.

    Similarthinking, philosophy, ideas, theory

Less common meanings

  1. 6
    tiny bitnouncountable or uncountable
    A very small amount or distance, only a tiny bit.

    Like just a pinch of something: almost nothing at all.

    The picture hangs a thought too high on the wall.

    Move your chair a thought closer to the table.

    UsageSay a thought closer to mean 'a little closer'.

    Similartouch, tad, trifle, bit, shade

    Note
  2. 7
    nouncountable or uncountable
    Kind care for other people, shown when you remember how they feel or what they need.

    The gift was small, but it's the thought that counts.

    Our thoughts are with everyone who lost a home in the fire.

    UsageSay it's the thought that counts about a small gift.

    Similarconsideration, concern

  3. 8
    noundialectal
    Worry or upset feelings about something.
    Which of you by taking thought, can adde one cubite vnto his ſtature?
    1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, thought means worry.

thought is a form of think

think, verb: To have an opinion, to believe that something is so. Full entry

Forms
thinkthinks he/she/itthinking -ing formthought past tense, past participle
Spelling
think → thought: irregular (no -ed)

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of thought apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Old English þōht, going back through Proto-Germanic to a very old root meaning "to think." It is related to "thank" and "think."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 4 facts