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thing
- 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> bplural : 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 being4 aplural : 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> dplural : 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 the10 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>
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