Definition

1. Noun:
   • An idea, opinion, or concept formed in the mind: A personal belief or judgment that is not necessarily based on proof or certainty.
   • The process or act of thinking: The activity of using your mind to consider something carefully.
   • The product of thinking; the content of cognition: The main thing or idea you are thinking about.
   • A particular system of ideas or way of thinking: The organized beliefs of a period, group, or individual.

Examples of Usage

• As an idea or opinion:
  • What are your thoughts on the new policy?
  • A sudden thought occurred to her.
• As the process of thinking:
  • She was lost in thought.
  • He gave the problem a great deal of thought.
• As the product of thinking:
  • The thought of failing never entered his mind.
  • It was a comforting thought.
• As a system of ideas:
  • Modern scientific thought.
  • Greek philosophical thought.

Advanced Usage

• "Food for thought": Something that warrants serious consideration or reflection.
  • The documentary provided plenty of food for thought.
• "Perish the thought": Used to say that you hope something will not happen or is not true.
  • Me, get angry? Perish the thought!
• "On second thought(s)": Used to introduce a revised opinion or decision reached after reconsideration.
  • I'll have coffee. No, on second thought, I'll have tea.

Variants and Related Words

• Think (verb): To have a particular idea, opinion, or mental process.
  • I think it will rain.
• Thoughtful (adjective):
  • Engaged in or showing careful thought.

    • A thoughtful analysis.
  • Considerate of others.

    • It was very thoughtful of you to call.
• Thoughtless (adjective): Showing a lack of consideration for others; not thinking.
  • A thoughtless remark.
• Thought-provoking (adjective): Causing one to think deeply.
  • A thought-provoking lecture.

Synonyms

• Idea: A thought or suggestion.
• Notion: A conception of or belief about something.
• Reflection: Serious thought or consideration.
• Cogitation: The action of thinking deeply.
• Belief: A feeling of being sure that something exists or is true.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Note: "Thought" is a noun, not a verb, so it does not form phrasal verbs. The related verb is "think." - Think over: To consider something carefully. - I need to think it over before I decide. - Think through: To consider all the possible details and consequences of something. - We must think this plan through.

Related Idioms

• A penny for your thoughts: Said to someone who is deep in thought when you want to know what they are thinking.
  • You've been quiet all morning. A penny for your thoughts?
• Lost in thought: So absorbed in thinking that one is unaware of one's surroundings.
  • She sat by the window, lost in thought.
• As quick as thought: Extremely fast.
  • The solution came to him as quick as thought.

Noun

1. a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
   • my opinion differs from yours
   • I am not of your persuasion
   • what are your thoughts on Haiti?
2. the organized beliefs of a period or group or individual
   • 19th century thought
   • Darwinian thought
3. the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
   • thinking always made him frown
   • she paused for thought
4. the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
   • it was not a good idea
   • the thought never entered my mind