thing
314
7.7
- noun
- /θɪŋ/
- Informal
- Well, what is the thing that's obsessing you?
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Watch on YouTubeIt's the fear flight thing in your brain, right?
- It's the fear flight thing in your brain, right?
- So firstly, my entire thing was, Oh my God, I'm a fraud.
- But if it's not your thing, then it's not your thing.
- And with that comes this insidious thing called stress, potentially chronic stress.
Examples
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Despite knowing it was a bad idea, he couldn't shake the feeling that thing was worth pursuing.
-
No, actually... I was gonna say I had a thing for priests.
-
By pushing us to believe and desire certain things, emotions drive us to act.
Academic text (1999) -
Being ethical and socially responsible is the most important thing a firm can do.
Academic text (2013) -
You have to stop with the jealousy thing.
-
For decades, education experts have heralded emerging technologies as the next big thing to revolutionize teaching.
Academic text (2013) -
Yes, blessed with money, blessed with clothes... blessed with every freedom under the sun... but cursed with the worst thing of all: cowardice.
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I always felt an irrational desire for that thing ever since I was a child.
-
You need to understand what that thing is that keeps bothering you.
Synonyms
361
1.9
A very strong dislike that can make a person want to hurt others
46
5.2
A strong feeling of hatred and disgust for someone or something
38
6.5
A strong dislike of something or someone
23
4.1
A mild feeling of not liking something
17
6.3
A strong feeling of disgust at something very unpleasant
4
6.2
A strong feeling of dislike and disgust
1
9.1
A strong feeling of disgust or deep dislike
Antonyms
Idioms
1
6.9
A very useful new thing that people say is great
1
9.9
A phrase said to show something would be nice but is very unlikely to happen
- Informal
Something a person is not thinking about or worrying about right now
Compounds
- Offensive
3
8.2
An attractive young woman often talked about in a kind way or as less grown-up
How Strong
Surface Forms
Etymology
Thing is often used for a habit or feeling and a helpful way to remember this is that it comes from Old English þing meaning a 'matter' or interest, so 'having a thing for' something means you have a special feeling or dislike about it.