thing

Pronunciation: /θɪŋ/

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Definition of thing

noun

1an object that one need not, cannot, or does not wish to give a specific name to:look at that metal rail thing over there there are lots of things I’d like to buy
(things) personal belongings or clothing:she began to unpack her things
(with adjective or noun modifier things) equipment, utensils, or other objects used for a particular purpose:they cleared away the lunch things
[with negative] (a thing) anything (used for emphasis):she couldn’t find a thing to wear
used to express one’s disapproval of or contempt for something:you won’t find me smoking those filthy things
[with postpositive adjective] (things) all that can be described in the specified way:his love for all things English
used euphemistically to refer to a man’s penis.

2an inanimate material object as distinct from a living sentient being:I’m not a thing, not a work of art to be cherished
[with adjective] a living creature or plant:the sea is the primal source of all living things on earth
[with adjective] used to express one’s feelings of pity, affection, approval, or contempt for a person or animal:have a nice weekend in the country, you lucky thing! the lamb was a puny little thing

3an action, event, thought, or utterance:she said the first thing that came into her head the only thing I could do well was cook
(things) circumstances or matters that are unspecified:things haven’t gone entirely to plan how are things with you?
an abstract entity, quality, or concept:mourning and depression are not the same thing they had one thing in common—they were men of action
an example or type of something:the game is the latest thing in family fun
[with adjective or noun modifier] informal a situation or activity of a specified type or quality:your being here is just a friendship thing, OK?

4 (the thing) informal what is needed or required:you need a tonic—and here’s just the thing
what is socially acceptable or fashionable:it wouldn’t be quite the thing to go to a royal garden party in wellies

5 (one's thing) informal one’s special interest or inclination:reading isn’t my thing

6 (the thing) informal used to introduce or emphasize an important point:the thing is, I am going to sell this house

Phrases

be all things to all men (or people): please everyone, typically by fitting in with their needs or expectations: a politician running scared of the electorate and trying to be all things to all people; be able to be interpreted or used differently by different people: multimedia is all things to all men
be on to a good thing: informal have found a job or other situation that is pleasant, profitable, or easy: many directors who take dividends in lieu of salary think they are on to a good thing
be hearing (or seeing) things: imagine that one can hear (or see) something that is not in fact there: the first time I spotted a puffin I thought I was seeing things
a close (or near) thing: a narrow avoidance of something unpleasant: we got him out, but it was a close thing
do one's own thing: informal follow one’s own interests or inclinations regardless of others: they don’t seem to be a couple, they just seem to be two people who do their own thing
do the —— thing: informal, chiefly North American engage in the kind of behaviour typically associated with someone or something:a film in which he does the bad-guy thing
do things to: informal have a powerful emotional effect on: it just does things to me when we kiss
for one thing: used to introduce one of two or more possible reasons for something, the remainder of which may or may not be stated:Why hadn’t he arranged to see her at the house? For one thing, it would have been warmer
have a thing about: informal have an obsessive interest in or dislike of:she had a thing about men who wore glasses
—— is one thing, —— is another: used to indicate that the second item mentioned is much more important than the first, and cannot be compared to it:physical attraction was one thing, love was quite another
make a (big) thing of (or about): informal make (something) seem more important than it actually is:Meadows made a big thing of paying the bill
of all things: out of all conceivable possibilities (used to express surprise):What had he been thinking about? A kitten, of all things!
(just) one of those things: informal used to indicate that one wishes to pass over an unfortunate experience by regarding it as unavoidable or to be accepted: I didn’t manage to go on the tour of Australia, but that was just one of those things
one thing leads to another: used to suggest that the exact sequence of events is too obvious to need recounting: he offered me a lift home one night and one thing led to another
there is only one thing for it: there is only one possible course of action: there was only one thing for it—she would have to open the parcel
(now) there's a thing: informal used as an expression of surprise.
a thing of the past: a thing that no longer happens or exists:house-price booms were seen as a thing of the past
a thing or two: informal used to refer to useful information that can be imparted or learned:Teddy taught me a thing or two about wine
things that go bump in the night: informal, humorous unexplained and frightening noises at night, regarded as being caused by ghosts: the fear of long-legged beasties and things that go bump in the night

Origin:

Old English, of Germanic origin; related to German Ding. Early senses included 'meeting' and 'matter, concern' as well as 'inanimate object'

thing in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of thing in the US English dictionary

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Other

thing

noun

Phrases

be all things to all men (or people)

be on to a good thing

be hearing (or seeing) things

a close (or near) thing

do one's own thing

do the —— thing

do things to

for one thing

have a thing about

—— is one thing, —— is another

make a (big) thing of (or about)

of all things

(just) one of those things

one thing leads to another

there is only one thing for it

(now) there's a thing

a thing of the past

a thing or two

things that go bump in the night

Origin:

thing in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

More results for thing

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