Main Entry: thing

Pronunciation: \ˈthiŋ\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English, thing, assembly; akin to Old High German ding thing, assembly, Gothic theihs time

Date: before 12th century

1 a : a matter of concern : affair <many things to do> b plural : state of affairs in general or within a specified or implied sphere <things are improving> c : a particular state of affairs : situation <look at this thing another way> d : event, circumstance <that shooting was a terrible thing>
2 a : deed, act, accomplishment <do great things> b : a product of work or activity <likes to build things> c : the aim of effort or activity <the thing is to get well>
3 a : a separate and distinct individual quality, fact, idea, or usually entity b : the concrete entity as distinguished from its appearances c : a spatial entity d : an inanimate object distinguished from a living being
4 a plural : possessions, effects <pack your things> b : whatever may be possessed or owned or be the object of a right c : an article of clothing <not a thing to wear> d plural : equipment or utensils especially for a particular purpose <bring the tea things>
5 : an object or entity not precisely designated or capable of being designated <use this thing>
6 a : detail, point <checks every little thing> b : a material or substance of a specified kind <avoid fatty things>
7 a : a spoken or written observation or point b : idea, notion <says the first thing he thinks of> c : a piece of news or information <couldn't get a thing out of him>
8 : individual <not a living thing in sight>
9 : the proper or fashionable way of behaving, talking, or dressing —used with the
10 a : a mild obsession or phobia <has a thing about driving>; also : the object of such an obsession or phobia b : something (as an activity) that makes a strong appeal to the individual : forte, specialty <letting students do their own thing — Newsweek> <I think travelling is very much a novelist's thing — Philip Larkin>