think
verb
θɪŋk 
θɪŋk θɔːt θɔːt have opinion/belief
1 [transitive, intransitive] (not used in the progressive tenses) to have a particular idea or opinion about something/somebody; to believe somethingthink (that)… Do you think (that) they'll come?I thought I heard a scream.I didn't think you liked sports.Am I right in thinking that you used to live here?I think this is their house, but I'm not sure.He ought to resign, I think.We'll need about 20 chairs, I should think.it is thought that… It was once thought that the sun travelled around the earth.think something (about something) What did you think about the idea?Well, I like it. What do you think?think so ‘Will we make it in time?’ ‘I think so.’‘Is he any good?’ ‘I don't think so.’think somebody/something + adjective I think it highly unlikely that I'll get the job.She thought him kind and generous.somebody/something is thought to be somebody/something He's thought to be one of the richest men in Europe.use mind
2 [intransitive, transitive] to use your mind to consider something, to form connected ideas, to try to solve problems, etcAre animals able to think?Let me think (= give me time before I answer).think (about something) I can't tell you now—I'll have to think about it.She had thought very deeply about this problem.All he ever thinks about is money.I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking (= said when you have upset or offended somebody accidentally).think what, how, etc… He was trying to think what to do.3 [transitive] (usually used in the progressive tenses) to have ideas, words or images in your mindthink something You're very quiet. What are you thinking?think what, how, etc… I was just thinking what a long way it is.+ speech ‘I must be crazy,’ she thought.imagine
4 [transitive, no passive, intransitive] to form an idea of something; to imagine somethingthink where, how, etc… We couldn't think where you'd gone.Just think how nice it would be to see them again.think (that)… I can't think (that) he would be so stupid.think (something) Just think—we'll be lying on the beach this time tomorrow.If I'm late home, my mother always thinks the worst.Try to think yourself into the role.expect
5 [transitive] to expect somethingthink (that)… I never thought (that) I'd see her again.The job took longer than we thought.You'd think she'd have been grateful for my help (= but she wasn't).think to do something (formal) Who would have thought to find you here?in a particular way
6 [intransitive, transitive] (informal) [no passive] to think in a particular way or on a particular subject+ adjective Let's think positive.You need to think big (= aim to achieve a lot).think something If you want to make money, you've got to think money.showing anger/surprise
7 [transitive] think (that)… used in questions to show that you are angry or surprisedWhat do you think you're doing?being less definite/more polite
8 [transitive, intransitive] used to make something you say sound less definite or more politethink (that)… I thought we could go out tonight.Twenty guests are enough, I would have thought.Do you think you could open the window?think so ‘You've made a mistake.’ ‘I don't think so.’intend
9 [transitive, intransitive] think (that…) to intend something; to have a plan about somethingI think I'll go for a swim.I'm thinking in terms of about 70 guests at the wedding.remember
10 [transitive] to remember something; to have something come into your mindthink to do something I didn't think (= it did not occur to me) to tell her.think where, what, etc… I can't think where I put the keys.Idioms
come to think of it
used when you suddenly remember something or realize that it might be important
Come to think of it, he did mention seeing you.I don't think so
(informal) used to say very strongly that you do not agree with something, or that something is not possibleMe? Fail? I don't think so.if/when you think about it
used to draw attention to a fact that is not obvious or has not previously been mentioned
It was a difficult situation, when you think about it.I thought as much
that is what I expected or suspected
‘He said he'd forgotten.’ ‘I thought as much.’think again
to consider a situation again and perhaps change your idea or intention
think aloud/out loud
to say what your thoughts are as you have them
think better of it/of doing something
to decide not to do something after thinking further about it
Synonym
reconsiderRosie was about to protest but thought better of it.think (the) better of somebody
to have a higher opinion of somebody
She has behaved appallingly—I must say I thought better of her.think nothing of it
(formal) used as a polite response when somebody has said sorry to you or thanked youthink nothing of something/of doing something
to consider an activity to be normal and not particularly unusual or difficult
She thinks nothing of walking thirty miles a day.think on your feet
to be able to think and react to things very quickly and effectively without any preparation
think out of the box
to think about something, or how to do something, in a way that is new, different or shows imagination
think straight
to think in a clear or logical way
think twice about something/about doing something
to think carefully before deciding to do something
You should think twice about employing someone you've never met.think the world, highly, a lot, not much, poorly, little, etc. of somebody/something
to have a very good, poor, etc. opinion of somebody/something
He thinks the world of his daughter.I don't think much of her idea.to think (that…)
used to show that you are surprised or shocked by something
To think that my mother wrote all those books and I never knew!Phrasal verbs
think about/of somebody/something
1 to consider somebody/something when you are doing or planning somethingDon't you ever think about other people?2 to consider doing somethingSynonym
contemplatethink doing something She's thinking of changing her job.think ahead (to something)
to think about a future event or situation and plan for itthink back (to something)
to think about something that happened in the pastI keep thinking back to the day I arrived here.think for yourself
to form your own opinions and make decisions without depending on othersthink of something/somebody
1 to have an image or idea of something/somebody in your mindWhen I said that I wasn't thinking of anyone in particular.2 to create an idea in your imaginationCan anybody think of a way to raise money?‘What shall we do now?’ ‘I'll think of something.’Have you thought of a name for the baby yet?3 [no passive] (used especially with can) to remember something/somebodyI can think of at least three occasions when he arrived late.I can't think of her name at the moment.think of somebody/something as somebody/something
to consider somebody/something in a particular wayI think of this place as my home.She is thought of as a possible director. see also well thought ofthink of something
to imagine an actual or a possible situationJust think of the expense!think doing something I couldn't think of letting you take the blame (= I would not allow that to happen).think something 
out
to consider or plan something carefullyIt's a very well thought out plan.think something over
to consider something carefully, especially before reaching a decisionHe'd like more time to think things over.I've been thinking over what you said.think something through
to consider a problem or a possible course of action fullythink something up
(informal) to create something in your mindSynonym
devise, inventCan't you think up a better excuse than that?
Usage note: thinkbelieve feel reckon be under the impressionThese words all mean to have an idea that something is true or possible or to have a particular opinion about somebody/something.think to have an idea that something is true or possible, although you are not completely certain; to have a particular opinion about somebody/something: Do you think (that) they'll come? ◇ Well, I like it. What do you think?believe to have an idea that something is true or possible, although you are not completely certain; to have a particular opinion about somebody/something: Police believe (that) the man may be armed.think or believe?When you are expressing an idea that you have or that somebody has of what is true or possible, believe is more formal than think. It is used especially for talking about ideas that other people have; think is used more often for talking about your own ideas: Police believe… ◇ I think… When you are expressing an opinion, believe is stronger than think and is used especially for matters of principle; think is used more for practical matters or matters of personal taste.feel to have a particular opinion about something that has happened or about what you/somebody ought to do: We all felt (that) we were unlucky to lose.reckon (informal) to think that something is true or possible: I reckon (that) I'm going to get that job.be under the impression that… to have an idea that something is true: I was under the impression that the work had already been completed.to think/believe/feel/reckon/be under the impression that…It is thought/believed/reckoned that…to be thought/believed/felt/reckoned to be somethingto think/believe/feel something about somebody/somethingto sincerely/honestly/seriously/mistakenly think/believe/feelUsage note: imaginethink see envisage envisionThese words all mean to form an idea in your mind of what somebody/something might be like.imagine to form an idea in your mind of what somebody/something might be like: The house was just as she had imagined it.think to imagine something that might happen or might have happened: We couldn't think where you'd gone. ◇ Just think —this time tomorrow we'll be lying on a beach.see to consider something as a future possibility; to imagine somebody as something: I can't see her changing her mind. ◇ His colleagues see him as a future director.envisage (especially British English) to imagine what will happen in the future: I don't envisage working with him again. The usual word for this in American English is envision (see below).envision to imagine what a situation will be like in the future, especially a situation that you intend to work towards: They envision an equal society, free from poverty and disease. Envision is used especially in business and political contexts. In North American English it is also used as another form of the word envisage: I don't envision working with him again.to imagine/see/envisage/envision somebody/something as somethingto imagine/see/envisage/envision (somebody) doing somethingto imagine/think/see/envisage/envision who/what/how…to imagine/think/envisage/envision that…Usage note: opinionGiving your personal opinionIn my opinion, everyone should have some understanding of science.Everyone should, in my opinion, have some understanding of science.It seems to me that many people in this country have a poor understanding of science.This is, in my view, the result of a failure of the scientific community to get its message across.Another reason why so many people have such a poor understanding of science is, I believe, the lack of adequate funding for science in schools.Smith argues that science is separate from culture. My own view is that science belongs with literature, art, philosophy and religion as an integral part of our culture.In this writer's opinion, the more the public know about science, the less they will fear and distrust it. Synonyms at think Language Banks at according to, argue, impersonal, nevertheless, perhapsUsage note: according toReporting someone's opinionPhotography is, according to Vidal, the art form of untalented people.For Vidal, photography is the art form of untalented people.His view is that photography is not art but merely the mechanical reproduction of images.Smith takes the view that photography is both an art and a science.In Brown's view, photography should be treated as a legitimate art in its own right.James is of the opinion that a good painter can always be a good photographer if he or she so decides.Emerson believed that a photograph should only reflect what the human eye can see. Language Banks at argue, opinion