The general ideas or opinions of a person or group can be referred to as their thinking.
There was undeniably a strong theoretical dimension to his thinking.
...the direction of the government's thinking on the country's political future.
The thinking of economic bureaucrats tends to lag behind changes in world conditions.
Synonyms: reasoning, thoughts, philosophy, idea More Synonyms of thinking
2. uncountable noun
Thinking is the activity of using your brain by considering a problem or possibility or creating an idea.
This is a time of decisive action and quick thinking.
After the pain of defeat passes, England have some thinking to do.
3. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
If you describe someone as a thinking man or woman, you mean that they are intelligent and take an interest in important events and issues, and you approve of this.
[approval]
Thinking people on both sides will applaud this book.
A newspaper called him 'the thinking man's Tory'.
Synonyms: thoughtful, intelligent, cultured, reasoning More Synonyms of thinking
4. See also wishful thinking
5.
See blue-sky thinking
6. to my way of thinking
thinking in British English
(ˈθɪŋkɪŋ)
noun
1.
opinion or judgment
2.
the process of thought
adjective
3. (prenominal)
using or capable of using intelligent thought
thinking people
4. put on one's thinking cap
thinking in American English
(ˈθɪŋkɪŋ)
adjective
1.
that thinks or can think; rational
2.
given to thought; reflective
noun
3.
the action of one who thinks or the result of such action; thought
Idioms:
put on one's thinking cap
More idioms containing
thinking
put your thinking cap on
Examples of 'thinking' in a sentence
thinking
Thinking about the future you want instead of dwelling on the past puts you on the road to success.
The Sun (2012)
Thinking of booking a summer holiday?
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
All related terms of 'thinking'
think
If you think that something is the case , you have the opinion that it is the case.
thinking cap
a state of mind marked by reflection or concentration
thinking time
time to think
quick thinking
the act of making a sensible decision very quickly, esp in a dangerous or difficult situation
right-thinking
If you think that someone's opinions or beliefs are sensible and you agree with them, you can describe them as a right-thinking person.
divergent thinking
thinking in an unusual and unstereotyped way, e. g . to generate several possible solutions to a problem
lateral thinking
Lateral thinking is a method of solving problems by using your imagination to help you think of solutions that are not obvious at first.
magical thinking
a conviction that thinking is equivalent to doing, occurring in dreams , the thought patterns of children, and some types of mental disorders , esp. obsessive-compulsive disorder
positive thinking
an optimistic attitude
thinking pattern
manner of thinking
thinking process
→ the thinking process
wishful thinking
If you say that an idea , wish, or hope is wishful thinking , you mean that it has failed to come true or is unlikely to come true.
blue-sky thinking
Blue-sky thinking is the activity of trying to find completely new ideas.
convergent thinking
analytical, usually deductive , thinking in which ideas are examined for their logical validity or in which a set of rules is followed, e. g . in arithmetic
the thinking process
thought; the activity of thinking
think up
If you think something up , for example an idea or plan , you invent it using mental effort .
think back
If you think back , you make an effort to remember things that happened to you in the past .
think out
If you think something out , you consider all the aspects and details of it before doing anything or making a decision .
think over
If you think something over , you consider it carefully before making a decision .
to my way of thinking
You add to my way of thinking to a statement in order to indicate that you are giving your opinion .
think through
If you think a situation through , you consider it thoroughly, together with all its possible effects or consequences .
put on one's thinking cap
to ponder a matter or problem
put your thinking cap on
to try hard to solve a problem by thinking about it
to put your thinking cap on
to ponder a matter or problem
Chinese translation of 'thinking'
thinking
(ˈθɪŋkɪŋ)
n(u)
(= ideas) 想法 (xiǎngfǎ)
(= thought) 思考 (sīkǎo)
to my (way of) thinking依我看来(來) (yī wǒ kànlái)
Seethought
Nearby words of
thinking
think over
think through
think up
thinking
third
third party insurance
Third World
All related terms of 'thinking'
think
( reflect ) 思考 sīkǎo ⇒ He thought for a moment, but said nothing. → 他思考了一会儿，没说什么。 Tā sīkǎole yīhuìr, méi shuō shénme.
wishful thinking
痴(癡)心妄想 chī xīn wàng xiǎng
positive thinking
乐(樂)观(觀)的想法 lèguān de xiǎngfǎ
think up
( plan, scheme, excuse ) 想出 xiǎngchū
think back
▶ to think back (to sth) 回想起(某事) huíxiǎngqǐ (mǒushì)
think over
( offer, suggestion ) 仔细(細)考虑(慮) zǐxì kǎolǜ
they could be forgiven for thinking that ...
他们(們)认(認)为(為) ... 也不为(為)过(過) tāmen rènwéi ... yě bù wéi guò
think through
全面考虑(慮) quánmiàn kǎolǜ
to my (way of) thinking
依我看来(來) yī wǒ kànlái
(noun)
Definition
the process of thought
There was a strong theoretical dimension to his thinking.
Synonyms
reasoning
the reasoning behind the decision
thoughts
philosophy
He studied philosophy and psychology at Cambridge.
idea
Some of his ideas about democracy are entirely his own.
view
You should make your views known to your local MP.
position
He usually takes a moderate position.
theory
opinion
Most who expressed an opinion spoke favourably of her.
conclusions
assessment
He was referred to a specialist for assessment.
judgment
In your judgment, what has changed over the past few years?
outlook
The illness had a profound effect on his outlook.
conjecture
(adjective)
Definition
using intelligent thought
Thinking people on both sides will applaud this book.
Synonyms
thoughtful
He was looking very thoughtful.
intelligent
the search for intelligent life elsewhere in the universe
cultured
reasoning
sophisticated
These people are very sophisticated observers of the foreign policy scene.
rational
Man, as a rational being, may act against his impulses.
philosophical
a philosophical discourse
reflective
Marek is a quiet, reflective man.
contemplative
He is a quiet, contemplative sort of chap.
meditative
Music can induce a meditative state in the listener.
ratiocinative
Additional synonyms
in the sense of assessment
He was referred to a specialist for assessment.
Synonyms
judgment,
analysis,
determination,
evaluation,
valuation,
appraisal,
estimation,
rating,
opinion,
estimate,
computation
in the sense of contemplative
Definition
of or given to contemplation
He is a quiet, contemplative sort of chap.
Synonyms
thoughtful,
reflective,
introspective,
rapt,
meditative,
pensive,
ruminative,
in a brown study,
intent,
musing,
deep or lost in thought
in the sense of idea
Definition
a belief or opinion
Some of his ideas about democracy are entirely his own.
Synonyms
notion,
thought,
view,
understanding,
teaching,
opinion,
belief,
conclusion,
hypothesis,
impression,
conviction,
judgment,
interpretation,
sentiment,
doctrine,
conception,
viewpoint
Synonyms of 'thinking'
thinking
Explore 'thinking' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of intelligent
the search for intelligent life elsewhere in the universe
Synonyms
rational,
cognitive,
capable of thought,
thinking
in the sense of judgment
Definition
a decision formed after careful consideration
In your judgment, what has changed over the past few years?
Synonyms
opinion,
view,
estimate,
belief,
assessment,
conviction,
diagnosis,
valuation,
deduction,
appraisal
in the sense of meditative
Music can induce a meditative state in the listener.
Synonyms
reflective,
thoughtful,
contemplative,
studious,
pensive,
deliberative,
ruminative,
cogitative
in the sense of opinion
Definition
belief not founded on certainty or proof but on what seems probable
Most who expressed an opinion spoke favourably of her.
Synonyms
belief,
feeling,
view,
idea,
theory,
notion,
conviction,
point of view,
sentiment,
viewpoint,
persuasion,
conjecture
in the sense of outlook
Definition
a general attitude to life
The illness had a profound effect on his outlook.
Synonyms
attitude,
views,
opinion,
position,
approach,
mood,
perspective,
point of view,
stance,
viewpoint,
disposition,
standpoint,
frame of mind,
angle,
slant
in the sense of philosophical
Definition
of or relating to philosophy or philosophers
a philosophical discourse
Synonyms
theoretical,
abstract,
learned,
wise,
rational,
logical,
thoughtful,
erudite,
sagacious
in the sense of philosophy
Definition
the particular doctrines of a specific individual or school relating to these issues
He studied philosophy and psychology at Cambridge.
Synonyms
thought,
reason,
knowledge,
thinking,
reasoning,
wisdom,
logic,
metaphysics
in the sense of position
Definition
point of view
He usually takes a moderate position.
Synonyms
attitude,
view,
perspective,
point of view,
standing,
opinion,
belief,
angle,
stance,
outlook,
posture,
viewpoint,
slant,
way of thinking,
standpoint
in the sense of rational
Definition
capable of reasoning
Man, as a rational being, may act against his impulses.
Synonyms
reasoning,
thinking,
cognitive,
cerebral,
ratiocinative
in the sense of reflective
Definition
characterized by quiet thought or contemplation
Marek is a quiet, reflective man.
Synonyms
thoughtful,
contemplative,
meditative,
pensive,
reasoning,
pondering,
deliberative,
ruminative,
cogitating
Additional synonyms
in the sense of sophisticated
Definition
intelligent, knowledgeable, or able to appreciate culture and the arts
These people are very sophisticated observers of the foreign policy scene.
Synonyms
cultured,
intelligent
in the sense of view
Definition
opinion, judgment, or belief
You should make your views known to your local MP.