Definition

1. Verb:
   • To think carefully about something before making a decision: To examine information or possibilities thoughtfully.
   • To regard or think of in a specified way: To have a particular opinion or belief about someone or something.
   • To take into account: To include something as an important factor in a judgment or decision.
   • To look at thoughtfully: To observe or study something attentively.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Please consider all your options before choosing a university. (Think carefully)
  • I consider her a true friend. (Regard as)
  • The judge will consider the defendant's background. (Take into account)
  • He sat quietly, considering the painting on the wall. (Looking at thoughtfully)

Advanced Usage

• "All things considered": Used to say that you are making a statement after thinking about all the facts.

  • All things considered, I think we made the best decision possible.

• "Consider doing something": A structure used to suggest thinking about a possible action.

  • You should consider applying for that scholarship.

• "Consider the source": An idiom meaning to remember who is giving information when deciding how reliable it is.

  • He's always complaining, so you have to consider the source.

Variants and Related Words

• Consideration (n): The act of thinking about something carefully, or a factor taken into account.

  • After much consideration, she accepted the job offer.
  • Price is an important consideration for most buyers.

• Considerable (adj): Large in size, amount, or degree.

  • The project required a considerable amount of time.

• Considerate (adj): Careful not to inconvenience or harm others; thoughtful.

  • It was very considerate of you to call.

Synonyms

• Ponder: To think about something carefully.
• Regard: To consider or think of in a particular way.
• Contemplate: To think deeply about something.
• Weigh: To consider carefully.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Consider something over: To think about something for a period of time.
  • I need a few days to consider it over.

Related Idioms

• To be under consideration: To be thought about as a possible choice or candidate.

  • Your proposal is still under consideration.

• To take something into consideration: To remember to include something when making a judgment or decision.

  • The architect took the budget into consideration.

Verb

1. regard or treat with consideration, respect, and esteem
   • Please consider your family
2. look at carefully; study mentally
   • view a problem
3. look at attentively
4. judge or regard; look upon; judge
   • I think he is very smart
   • I believe her to be very smart
   • I think that he is her boyfriend
   • The racist conceives such people to be inferior
5. think about carefully; weigh
   • They considered the possibility of a strike
   • Turn the proposal over in your mind
6. show consideration for; take into account
   • You must consider her age
   • The judge considered the offender's youth and was lenient
7. take into consideration for exemplifying purposes
   • Take the case of China
   • Consider the following case
8. give careful consideration to
   • consider the possibility of moving
9. deem to be
   • She views this quite differently from me
   • I consider her to be shallow
   • I don't see the situation quite as negatively as you do