Definition

1. Noun:
   • A separate and self-contained entity: An object, item, or entity that is not specifically named.
   • An object of thought or discussion: A statement, idea, quality, or matter that is considered.
   • An action or event: A deed, occurrence, or something that happens.
   • A situation or state of affairs: A circumstance or condition.
   • A special objective or point: The main issue or concern in a discussion.
   • A feeling or preoccupation: A persistent, often irrational, feeling of desire or aversion towards something or someone.
   • An artifact or device: A manufactured or useful object.
   • A living being, especially when regarded with sympathy or contempt: Used to refer to a person or animal, often expressing an attitude.

Examples of Usage

• As a general object or entity:
  • What is that thing on the table? (Referring to an unspecified object.)
  • She packed her things for the trip. (Referring to personal belongings.)
• As a matter, issue, or idea:
  • The thing I don't understand is his motivation. (Referring to a specific point.)
  • Let's discuss the important things first. (Referring to matters or topics.)
• As an action or event:
  • A strange thing happened yesterday. (Referring to an event.)
  • How could you do such a thing? (Referring to an action.)
• As a situation:
  • How are things at work? (Referring to general circumstances.)
• Referring to a person or animal:
  • The poor thing was lost and scared. (Expressing pity for an animal or person.)

Advanced Usage

• "The thing is...": Used to introduce the main point or problem in a discussion.
  • I'd like to go, but the thing is, I don't have any money.
• "To have a thing about (someone/something)": To have a strong, often irrational, liking or dislike for someone or something.
  • He has a thing about people being late. (He strongly dislikes lateness.)
• "To make a thing (out) of something": To treat something as more important or problematic than it is.
  • It was a minor mistake; don't make a thing of it.

Variants and Related Words

• Anything (pronoun): Used to refer to a thing, no matter what.
  • Is anything wrong?
• Everything (pronoun): All things; all that exists or is important.
  • She means everything to me.
• Nothing (pronoun): Not anything; no single thing.
  • There's nothing left to say.
• Something (pronoun): An unspecified or unknown thing.
  • I have something to tell you.
• Thingy (noun, informal): A casual term for an object whose name one does not know or has forgotten.
  • Pass me that metal thingy.

Synonyms

• Object: A material thing that can be seen and touched.
• Item: An individual article or unit.
• Matter: An affair or situation under consideration.
• Affair: An event or sequence of events; a matter.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• See things: To hallucinate or imagine things that are not there.
  • I'm so tired I must be seeing things.
• Hear things: To imagine hearing sounds that are not present.
  • It's so quiet in this old house, I think I'm hearing things.

Related Idioms

• A thing of the past: Something that no longer happens or exists.
  • Landline telephones are becoming a thing of the past.
• All things considered: When every aspect of a situation has been thought about.
  • All things considered, I think we made the right choice.
• Do one's own thing (informal): To pursue one's own interests or lifestyle independently.
  • After retirement, he just wants to relax and do his own thing.
• The real thing: The genuine article, not an imitation.
  • This isn't a copy; it's the real thing.

Noun

1. a separate and self-contained entity
2. a persistent illogical feeling of desire or aversion
   • he has a thing about seafood
   • she has a thing about him
3. a special objective
   • the thing is to stay in bounds
4. any attribute or quality considered as having its own existence
   • the thing I like about her is ...
5. an entity that is not named specifically
   • I couldn't tell what the thing was
6. a statement regarded as an object
   • to say the same thing in other terms
   • how can you say such a thing?
7. a vaguely specified concern
   • several matters to attend to
   • it is none of your affair
   • things are going well
8. an event
   • a funny thing happened on the way to the...
9. an artifact
   • how does this thing work?
10. a special abstraction
    • a thing of the spirit
    • things of the heart
11. an action
    • how could you do such a thing?
12. a special situation
    • this thing has got to end
    • it is a remarkable thing