think
think
/θɪŋk/
have opinion/belief
1 transitive, intransitive (not usually used in the progressive tenses) to have a particular idea or opinion about something/somebody; to believe something think (that)… Do you really think (that) he'll win?
I thought I heard a scream.
I didn't think people were allowed to park here.
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.
That's my opinion, but you might think otherwise (= have a different opinion).
We'll need about 20 chairs, I should think.
I can't help thinking (that) things could have been different.
it is thought that… It was once thought that the sun travelled around the earth.
think something Well, I like it. What do you think?
think something about something What did you think about the idea?
think something of something What did you think of the film?
think so ‘Is he any good?’ ‘I don't think so.’
‘Will we make it in time?’ ‘I think so.’
think somebody/something + adj. I think it highly unlikely that I'll get the job.
She thought him kind and generous.
It was better than I thought possible.
think somebody/something + noun I thought it a good idea to go with him.
be thought to be somebody/something He's thought to be one of the richest men in Europe.
think of somebody/something as somebody/something I think of this place as my home.
She is thought of as a possible director.
Collocations
adverb
verb + think
be inclined to
preposition
about
of
use mind
2 intransitive, transitive to use your mind to consider something, to form connected ideas, to try to solve problems, etc. Are animals able to think?
Let me think (= give me time before I answer).
Stop and think for a moment before making any decisions.
I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking (= said when you have upset or offended somebody accidentally).
think about something I can't tell you now—I'll have to think about it.
The government needs to think carefully about the issues raised.
All he ever thinks about is money.
think what, how, etc… He was trying to think what to do.
Collocations Dictionary
adverb
verb + think
dread to
hate to
shudder to…
preposition
about
of
phrases
not think straight
think big
3 transitive (usually used in the progressive tenses) to have ideas, words or images in your mind think 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.
‘What can I do now?’ he thought frantically.
imagine
think where, how, etc… We couldn't think where you'd gone.
Just think how nice it would be to see them again.
I hate to think what would have happened if we hadn't arrived.
think (that)… I like to think (that) he would help if I needed it.
I can’t think (that) he would be so stupid.
think (something) If I'm home late, my mother always thinks the worst.
Just think—we'll be lying on the beach this time tomorrow.
Try to think yourself into the role.
Collocations
adverb
preposition
expect
think (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).
I never thought you would carry out your threat.
think to do something (formal) Who would have thought to find you here?
in a particular way
+ adj. 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 surprised What do you think you're doing?
being less definite/more polite
think (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
I 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 mind think 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
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.
used to say that you hope or believe that something is true
I like to think I'm broad-minded.
I’d like to think that you were helping me because you wanted to, not because you felt you had to.
that is what I expected or suspected
‘He said he'd forgotten.’ ‘I thought as much.’
used when you are thinking or trying to remember something
Now let me see—where did he say he lived?
(formal) to consider it right or acceptable to do something; to decide or choose to do something
You must do as you think fit (= but I don't agree with your decision).
The newspaper did not see fit to publish my letter (= and I criticize it for that).
(formal) to say or think bad things about somebody
Don't speak ill of the dead.
to consider a situation again and perhaps change your idea or intention
You really should think again about that.
to say what your thoughts are as you have them
to have a higher opinion of somebody
She has behaved appallingly—I must say I thought better of her.
TOPICS Opinion and argumentC2
to decide not to do something after thinking further about it
SYNONYM reconsider
Rosie was about to protest but thought better of it.
to form your own opinions and make decisions without depending on others
TOPICS Opinion and argumentC1
(formal) to say or think bad things about somebody
I wouldn't want them to think ill of me.
think 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.
(formal) used as a polite response when somebody has said sorry to you or thanked you
to be able to think and react to things very quickly and effectively without any preparation
to think about something, or how to do something, in a way that is new, different or shows imagination
(used especially in negative sentences)
to think in a clear or logical way
The drugs were affecting her and she couldn't think straight.
to think carefully before deciding to do something
You should think twice about employing someone you've never met.
TOPICS Preferences and decisionsC1
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.
TOPICS Opinion and argumentC2
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
Word Origin
Old English thencan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch and German denken.