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musing

musing

6.1
Being quiet and thinking deeply about something
  • adjective
  • /ˈmjuːzɪŋ/
translation icon : pensativo
  • They are sometimes gay and playful, sometimes musing and contemplative.

Examples

  • The artist had a musing expression on her face as she contemplated the meaning behind her latest painting.

  • He often became musing during quiet walks, reflecting on the complexities of life.

  • After a long day, she sat by the window, feeling musing and lost in thought about her future.

Synonyms

thoughtful
vsmusing
68 2.6

Serious and quietly thinking about something

is inward reflective thinking rather than outward consideration for others
reflective
vsmusing
38 4.5

A person who thinks carefully about ideas or feelings

is more about broad contemplative thought than careful analysis
meditative
vsmusing
17 5.6

Thinking deeply and quietly in a calm way

is similar but not necessarily calm or absorbed in mood
contemplative
vsmusing
15 6.0

Thinking deeply and quietly, often for a long time

is similar but less focused on meditative calm
pensive
vsmusing
14 7.0

Being quiet and deep in thought, often a little sad

is reflective thought without the usual sadness or melancholic mood
ruminative
vsmusing
1 7.9

Thinking deeply about something, often in a quiet way

is a single reflective act rather than prolonged repeated thinking
in deep thought
vsmusing
1 4.2

Focusing very seriously on something in your mind

is quieter, more open-ended reflection not always intense concentration
pondering
vsmusing
5.5

Thinking carefully for a long time about something

is more general reflective thought rather than a temporary consideration

Antonyms

94 5.6

Not thorough and only about what is obvious, not deep

1 6.3

Not thinking about how actions hurt other people

How Reflective

meditative
17 5.6
contemplative
15 6.0
musing
6.1
reflective
38 4.5
thoughtful
68 2.6

Surface Forms

musing positive

Morphology

musing = muse (transparent) = muse + ing

Formed by the productive verb 'muse' plus the standard participial/nominalizing suffix '-ing', the meaning 'thoughtful' is directly derived.

Etymology

Musing comes from the verb muse, which goes back to the Greek name Mousa meaning 'inspiration'. So a musing mood is quietly thoughtful, as if you are listening for ideas.