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thing

thing

1.0
Personal items like clothes and bags
  • noun
  • /θɪŋ/
translation icon : pertenencia
  • Well, I brought you some of your dad's things instead.
  • pack things
  • other things
  • a lot of things

OK, let's talk about most expensive thing that she sells.

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Examples

  • The house is one of the only things he actually calls his.

  • I need to buy some new things for the winter, like a warm coat and boots.

  • I showed you guys some of the things I got in hall.

  • The questions were: Tell me three things about yourself that you think I should know.

    Academic text (2013)
  • I thought I told you to keep your hands off my things!

  • I would have to spend more money, especially on things that fit me better, like coats.

    Academic text (2013)
  • I think there are some things that I can't give to my child.

    Academic text (2013)
  • I'm talking about the things you pursue, Nate.

  • If you want memories and photographs of the things I've described, book a trip to Botswana.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Hayden, and by extension Jen's little car, smelled of three things: damp tweed, stale tobacco, and Irish whisky.

    Academic text (2013)

Synonyms

stuff
vsthing
  • Informal
1.0

Things a person owns or carries

is more specific, meaning personal clothing and small possessions
item
vsthing
1.0

A single thing in a list or collection

refers to groups of personal clothing rather than a single listed unit
33 3.5

Small personal items a person carries, like clothes or jewelry

covers clothing and other possessions broadly rather than only portable items
personal property
vsthing
  • Specialized
16 3.1

Things a person owns that can be moved, like furniture or jewelry

focuses on clothing and small items rather than broad movable assets
belongings
vsthing
1 1.0

Things a person owns and can carry

focuses especially on clothing and small wearable possessions
clobber
vsthing
  • UK
1 8.2

Personal items, especially clothes and small belongings

is the neutral term used for similar clothing and items
1 3.8

All the things a person owns, like clothes or furniture

refers mainly to clothing and personal items, not entire holdings

Idioms

the thing is
  • Informal
166 3.5

To say an important fact or reason when explaining something

here's the thing
  • Informal
43 7.2

A phrase that introduces the most important point in a discussion

a thing or two
  • Informal
35 3.7

Some useful knowledge or experience about a subject

29 3.8

Something that people do not use or think about anymore

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

6 6.0

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

any old thing
  • Informal
2 5.6

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

A very useful new thing that people say is great

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

8.2

Something happens suddenly before you notice

Something you do not want at an important or difficult time

Compounds

102 3.8

A thing that is not fake and is exactly as expected

89 1.0

An attractive or valuable object that people enjoy owning

77 2.4

Something that is certain to happen or succeed

63 1.0

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

11 3.2

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

11 1.6

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

sweet young thing
  • Offensive
2 8.2

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

fine thing
  • Informal
1 7.2

Something very good or lucky that you doubt will happen

near thing
  • Informal
1 6.6

A situation when something bad almost happens but does not

thing-in-itself
  • Specialized
1 9.9

What something really is apart from how people see it

cunty thing
  • Offensive
9.9

A very rude remark or action that upsets people

dadburn thing
  • Archaic
9.9

A mild word people use to show annoyance without swearing

How Valuable

treasure
676 1.1
valuables
2.0
property
1.4
thing
1.0
possession
240 1.7
belongings
1 1.0

Surface Forms

thing singular
things plural

Etymology

Thing comes from Old English þing, meaning a 'matter' or 'issue' people discussed, and over time it grew to mean 'stuff' or personal belongings, so 'your things' are the items that belong to you.