Thinking: meaning, definitions and examples

Same as the first entry. Use for general, everyday mental processes.

• I was thinking about what to have for dinner
• She does a lot of thinking before making a decision

Situations involving deep reflection or serious consideration, often with a sense of calm or meditation.

• She spent the afternoon in contemplation by the lake
• His contemplation of life's mysteries was evident in his writings

Situations involving careful thought, often about past events or experiences, leading to insights or conclusions.

• After much reflection, she decided to change her career
• His reflection on his childhood brought back many memories

Formal or academic contexts, often involving deep or serious thought.

• His cogitation on the subject lasted for several hours
• The philosopher’s cogitation resulted in a groundbreaking theory

Use when referring to the process of considering or reasoning about something.

• His thinking on the matter has evolved over time.
• I'm still doing some thinking about the best way to approach this project.

Used when expressing a person's thoughts or feelings about a particular topic or issue.

• In my opinion, that movie was boring.
• Everyone has their own opinion on this controversial subject.

Commonly used to describe a person's perspective or standpoint regarding a specific issue or subject.

• What's your view on climate change?
• Our views on education reform are quite different.

Best when talking about something one accepts as true or real, often without proof.

• Her belief in ghosts stems from childhood stories.
• He has a strong belief that honesty is always the best policy.

Used when referring to the intellectual process of considering or reasoning about something.

• After much thinking, she decided to change her career path.
• His way of thinking is very analytical.

Used when describing something that is very popular and stylish at the moment, often in a modern or youth-oriented sense.

• That café is so trendy; everyone loves going there.
• He always knows the most trendy places to shop.

Used to describe something that is popular or trendy in terms of style or appearance, often related to clothing or design.

• She wore a very fashionable dress to the party.
• It's fashionable to wear sneakers with formal outfits these days.

Applied when discussing something happening at the present time or commonly accepted now.

• What is the current status of the project?
• Current trends in technology are always changing.