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thing

thing

∞ 1.0
Something you do not know or cannot name
  • noun
  • /θɪŋ/
: cosa
  • I found a strange thing in the garden that I couldn't identify.
  • one thing
  • other things
  • such a thing

How do you know that thing over there is sweet?

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Examples

  • It's a terrible thing to lose a child.

  • If this is gonna be a sacred thing, we gotta do it together, right?

  • There could be no such thing as cold fire.

  • There is no such thing as good debt.

  • And we have to have these two things match.

  • So we're going to do the same thing on Thursday.

  • How do you know that thing over there is sweet?

  • So these are the things that we have.

  • We're all at home with this thing trying to work.

  • A man that finds a wife finds a good thing.

Synonyms

item
vsthing
∞ 1.0

A single thing in a list or collection

is a broader general label for an unspecified object or entity
thingy
vsthing
  • Informal
74 8.4

An informal word for an object when you forget its name

is the general neutral label used when precise naming is unnecessary
thingie
vsthing
  • Informal
30 9.2

A simple word for an object you cannot remember the name of

is the general neutral term that also fits animals or matter
thingamabob
vsthing
  • Informal
5 9.6

A thing whose name you do not know or remember

is the neutral label covering any unspecified entity rather than just objects
thingumajig
vsthing
  • Informal
1 9.9

A small object whose name you do not know

is broader and not limited to objects with unknown names
thingummy
vsthing
  • Informal
1 9.9

A word for a person or thing whose name you cannot remember

is mainly for unspecified objects rather than referring to people
whatsis
vsthing
  • Informal
1 9.9

A thing whose name you cannot remember

is the neutral general label used for any unspecified object or matter
thingmajig
vsthing
  • Informal
9.9

An object whose name you do not know or have forgotten

is the general word that can name animals matter or ideas
thingumabob
vsthing
  • Informal
9.9

An object whose name you don't know or have forgotten

is a general term used for any unnamed unit or matter

Idioms

the thing is
  • Informal
546 3.5

To say an important fact or reason when explaining something

here's the thing
  • Informal
147 7.2

A phrase that introduces the most important point in a discussion

a thing or two
  • Informal
75 3.7

Some useful knowledge or experience about a subject

All small details of a person's life or a situation

27 3.8

Something that people do not use or think about anymore

A very useful new thing that people say is great

any old thing
  • Informal
1 5.6

A thing of any kind, often not good or picked without care

A phrase said to show something would be nice but is very unlikely to happen

Something a person is not thinking about or worrying about right now

8.2

Something happens suddenly before you notice

Something you do not want at an important or difficult time

Compounds

281 1.6

A phrase to add an extra point and mention a problem when speaking or writing

195 3.8

A thing that is not fake and is exactly as expected

70 1.0

A plant, animal, or small creature that grows and needs food and water

53 2.4

Something that is certain to happen or succeed

34 1.0

An attractive or valuable object that people enjoy owning

11 3.2

An action most people see as the right and kind thing to do

fine thing
  • Informal
10 7.2

Something very good or lucky that you doubt will happen

thing-in-itself
  • Specialized
3 9.9

What something really is apart from how people see it

sweet young thing
  • Offensive
3 8.2

An attractive young woman often talked about in a kind way or as less grown-up

near thing
  • Informal
1 6.6

A situation when something bad almost happens but does not

dadburn thing
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A mild word people use to show annoyance without swearing

cunty thing
  • Offensive
9.9

A very rude remark or action that upsets people

How Specific

object
  • Specialized
4 2.7
article
42 1.0
item
∞ 1.0
thing
∞ 1.0
stuff
  • Informal
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

thing singular
things plural

Etymology

Thing comes from Old English þing, which meant a 'meeting' or the 'matter' people talked about; when people pointed to an object at that meeting, the 'matter' became the word for any object or unknown item.