thing
noun
θɪŋ 
θɪŋ object
1 [countable] an object whose name you do not use because you do not need to or want to, or because you do not know itCan you pass me that thing over there?She's very fond of sweet things (= sweet foods).He's just bought one of those exercise things.Turn that thing off while I'm talking to you!2 [countable] an object that is not alive in the way that people and plants areDon't treat her like that—she's a person, not a thing!He's good at making things with his hands.She took no interest in the people and things around her.possessions/equipment
3 things [plural] (rather informal) objects, clothing or tools that belong to somebody or are used for a particular purposeShall I help you pack your things?Bring your swimming things with you.I'll just clear away the breakfast things.Put your things (= coat, etc.) on and let's go.anything
4 a thing [singular] used with negatives to mean ‘anything’ in order to emphasize what you are sayingI haven't got a thing to wear!She hasn't had a thing to eat all day.There wasn't a thing we could do to help.Ignore what he said—it doesn't mean a thing.fact/event/situation/action
5 [countable] a fact, an event, a situation or an action; what somebody says or thinksThere are a lot of things she doesn't know about me.There's another thing I'd like to ask you.A terrible thing happened last night.He found the whole thing (= the situation) very boring.I've got loads of things to do today.The main thing to remember is to switch off the burglar alarm.I like camping, climbing and that sort of thing.She said the first thing that came into her head.‘Why did you tell her our secret?’ ‘I did no such thing!’Let's forget the whole thing (= everything).6 things [plural] (rather informal) the general situation, as it affects somebodyThings haven't gone entirely to plan. (informal) Hi, Jane! How are things?Think things over before you decide.As things stand at present, he seems certain to win.All things considered (= considering all the difficulties or problems), she's done very well.Why do you make things so difficult for yourself?what is needed/right
7 [countable, usually singular] what is needed or socially acceptableYou need something to cheer you up—I know just the thing!to say the right/wrong thingThe best thing to do is to apologize.things of particular type
8 things [plural] (formal) (followed by an adjective) all that can be described in a particular wayShe loves all things Japanese.creature
9 [countable] (used with an adjective) a living creatureAll living things are composed of cells.person/animal
10 [countable] (with an adjective) (informal) used to talk to or about a person or an animal, to show how you feel about themYou silly thing!You must be starving, you poor things.The cat's very ill, poor old thing.Idioms
A is one thing, B is another
|it's one thing to do A, it's another thing to do B
B is very different from A, for example it is more difficult, serious or important
Romance is one thing, marriage is quite another.It's one thing to tease your sister, but it's another to hit her.all/other things being equal
if the conditions stay the same; if other conditions are the same
All things being equal, we should finish the job tomorrow.and things (like that)
(informal) used when you do not want to complete a listShe likes nice clothes and things like that.I've been busy shopping and things.be all things to all men/people
1 (of people) to please everyone by changing your attitudes or opinions to suit different people2 (of things) to be understood or used in different ways by different peoplecome to/be the same thing
to have the same result or meaning
be a good thing (that)…
to be lucky that…
It's a good thing we got here early.be no bad thing (that)…
used to say that although something seems to be bad, it could have good results
We didn't want the press to get hold of the story, but it might be no bad thing.be onto a good thing
to have found a job, situation or style of life that is pleasant or easy
do things to somebody
(informal) to have a powerful emotional effect on somebodyThat song just does things to me.do your own thing
(informal) to do what you want to do or what interests you, without thinking about other people; to be independentfirst/last thing
early in the morning/late in the evening
I need the report on my desk first thing Monday morning.I took the dog for a walk last thing before going to bed.first things first
(often humorous) the most important matters must be dealt with firstWe have a lot to discuss, but, first things first, let's have a cup of coffee!for one thing
used to introduce one of two or more reasons for doing something
‘Why don't you get a car?’ ‘Well, for one thing, I can't drive!’have a thing about somebody/something
(informal) to have a strong like or dislike of somebody/something in a way that seems strange or unreasonableShe has a thing about men with beards.it isn't my, his, etc. thing
it isn't something that you really enjoy or are interested in
it's a… thing
(informal) it is something that only a particular group understandsYou wouldn't know what it means—it's a girl thing.know/tell somebody a thing or two (about somebody/something)
(informal) to know/tell somebody some useful, interesting or surprising information about somebody/somethingShe's been married five times, so she knows a thing or two about men!make a (big) thing of/about something
(informal) to make something seem more important than it really isnot know, etc. the first thing about something/somebody
to know nothing at all about something/somebody
We've lived next to him for years, but we still don't know the first thing about him.not quite the thing
1 not considered socially acceptableIt wouldn't be quite the thing to turn up in running gear.2 (old-fashioned) not healthy or normal(just) one of those things
used to say that you do not want to discuss or think about something bad or unpleasant that has happened, but just accept it
It wasn't your fault. It was just one of those things.one (damned/damn) thing after another
(informal) used to complain that a lot of unpleasant things keep happening to youone thing leads to another
used to suggest that the way one event or action leads to others is so obvious that it does not need to be stated
He offered me a ride home one night, and, well, one thing led to another and now we're married!be seeing/hearing things
(informal, humorous) to imagine that you can see or hear something that is in fact not therethere's only one thing for it
there is only one possible course of action
these things are sent to try us
(saying) used to say that you should accept an unpleasant situation or event because you cannot change itthe thing is
(informal) used to introduce an important fact, reason or explanationI'm sorry my assignment isn't finished. The thing is, I've had a lot of other work this week.the thing (about/with something/somebody) is
used to introduce a problem about something/somebody
The thing with Karl is, he's always late.the (whole)… thing
(informal) a situation or an activity of the type mentionedShe really didn't want to be involved in the whole family thing.things that go bump in the night
(informal, humorous) used to refer to ghosts and other supernatural things that cannot be explainedThere are mysterious lights in the sky and things that go bump in the night.too much of a good thing
used to say that, although something is pleasant, you do not want to have too much of it
(what) with one thing and another
(informal) because you have been busy with various problems, events or things you had to doI completely forgot her birthday, what with one thing and another.Idioms
see the only thing is… at only adjective, overdo it/things at overdo, push it/things at push verb, the real thing at real, the/somebody's scheme of things at scheme noun Idioms
see the shape of things to come at shape noun Idioms
see sure thing at sure adjective, as it/things turned out at turn verb, have it/things/everything your own way at way noun, work it/things at work verb
Usage note: situationcircumstances position conditions things the case state of affairsThese are all words for the conditions and facts that are connected with and affect the way things are.situation all the things that are happening at a particular time and in a particular place: the present economic situationcircumstances the facts that are connected with and affect a situation, an event or an action; the conditions of a person's life, especially the money they have: The ship sank in mysterious circumstances.position the situation that somebody is in, especially when it affects what they can and cannot do: She felt she was in a position of power.conditions the circumstances in which people live, work or do things; the physical situation that affects how something happens: We were forced to work outside in freezing conditions.circumstances or conditions?Circumstances refers to somebody's financial situation; conditions are things such as the quality and amount of food or shelter they have. The circumstances that affect an event are the facts surrounding it; the conditions that affect it are usually physical ones, such as the weather.things (rather informal) the general situation, as it affects somebody: Hi, Jane! How are things? ◇ Think things over before you decide.the case the true situation: If that is the case (= if the situation described is true), we need more staff.state of affairs a situation: How did this unhappy state of affairs come about?situation or state of affairs?State of affairs is mostly used with this. It is also used with adjectives describing how good or bad a situation is, such as happy, sorry, shocking, sad and unhappy, as well as those relating to time, such as present and current. Situation is much more frequent and is used in a wider variety of contexts.in (a) particular situation/circumstances/position/state of affairsthe/somebody's economic/financial/social situation/circumstances/position/conditions(a/an) happy/unhappy situation/circumstances/position/state of affairsto look at/review the situation/circumstances/conditions/thingsUsage note: thingsstuff property possessions junk belongings goods valuablesThese are all words for objects or items, especially ones that you own or have with you at a particular time.things (rather informal) objects, clothing or tools that you own or that are used for a particular purpose: Shall I help you pack your things? ◇ Bring your swimming things.stuff [U] (informal) used to refer to a group of objects when you do not know their names, when the names are not important or when it is obvious what you are talking about: Where's all my stuff?property [U] (rather formal) a thing or things that are owned by somebody: This building is government property. ◇ Be careful not to damage other people's property.possessions things that you own, especially something that can be moved: Prisoners were allowed no personal possessions except letters and photographs.junk [U] things that are considered useless or of little value: I've cleared out all that old junk from the attic.belongings possessions that can be moved, especially ones that you have with you at a particular time: Please make sure you have all your belongings with you when leaving the plane.goods (technical or rather formal) possessions that can be moved: He was found guilty of handling stolen goods.valuables things that are worth a lot of money, especially small personal things such as jewellery or cameras: Never leave cash or other valuables lying around.personal things/stuff/property/possessions/belongingsto collect/gather/pack (up) your things/stuff/possessions/belongingsto search somebody's/your/the things/stuff/property/belongingsto go through somebody's/your/the things/stuff/belongingsUsage note: Other words for thingInstead of using the word thing, try to use more precise and interesting words, especially in formal written English.aspectThat was the most puzzling aspect of the situation. (…the most puzzling thing about…)attributeCuriosity is an essential attribute for a journalist. (…an essential thing for a journalist to have.)characteristicThis bird has several interesting characteristics. (There are several interesting things about this bird.)detailI want to know every detail of what happened. (…everything about…)featureNoise is a familiar feature of city life. (…a familiar thing in city life.)issueShe has campaigned on many controversial issues. (…many controversial things.)matterWe have several important matters to deal with at this meeting. (…several important things…)pointThat’s a very interesting point you made. (…a very interesting thing you said.)subjectThe book covers a number of subjects. (…a number of things.)topicWe discussed a wide range of topics. (…a wide range of things.)traitHer generosity is one of her most attractive traits. (…one of the most attractive things about her.)Don’t use thing after an adjective when the adjective can be used on its own: Having your own computer is very useful. ◇ Having your own computer is a very useful thing.It is often more natural to use words like something, anything, etc. instead of thing: I have something important to tell you. ◇ I have an important thing to tell you. ◇ Do you want anything else? ◇ Do you want any other thing?It is more natural to say a lot, a great deal, much, etc. rather than many things: I have so much to tell you. ◇ I have so many things to tell you. ◇ She knows a lot about basketball. ◇ She knows many things about basketball.