thing */*/*/

UK [θɪŋ] / US noun
Word forms "thing":
singular thing plural things

1) [countable] an object, or an item. This word is used when you cannot or do not want to refer to the object or item in a more specific way

What's that thing over there on the table?

I gave her a little thing for her birthday.

It's one of those gadget things, isn't it?

a) [countable] an object that you are not familiar with or do not know much about

It's a thing used for looking inside people's ears.

b) things

[plural] the objects that belong to a particular person or that are used for a particular purpose

I'll pack my things for the trip tomorrow.

c) [countable] spoken used when you are angry, or used for referring to an object you do not like

Turn that thing off and do your homework!

2) [countable] an action, or an activity

I have a lot of things to do today.

I would have done the same thing in his situation.

do the right thing:

I gave back the money. Did I do the right thing?

3) [countable] a situation, or an event

A funny thing happened to me today.

I think we should just forget the whole thing.

kind/sort of thing:

She doesn't find that kind of thing funny.

be onto a good thing (= in a good situation, job, arrangement etc):

We're onto a good thing working here.

in all things:

Above all else, you must be honest in all things.

make a big thing out of something (= behave as if something is more important, serious, dangerous etc than it really is):

Don't make a big thing out of this – I just said I'd be late!

4) [countable, usually plural] a fact or a condition related to a particular situation, activity, person etc

The first thing I want is a hot bath.

If you could change three things about your job, what would they be?

have/want things both ways (= avoid choosing between two different things):

I'd like to live close to the beach and close to my office, but I can't have things both ways.

all good things come to an end/must pass:

Our vacation was great, but all good things come to an end.

a) [countable] used for referring to a particular aspect of a situation that you are making a comment about

The thing I really like about Theresa is her sense of humour.

the sad/weird/funny etc thing is:

The sad thing is, she never loved him.

it's a good/bad thing that:

It's a good thing that you don't need to work late.

b) things

[plural] all of the aspects of a particular situation

The police soon got things under control.

Try to see things from your wife's perspective.

all things considered:

All things considered, I think you'll be happier if you switch jobs.

as things stand (= as they are):

As things stand, it will be difficult to raise prices further.

put things (= describe or show a situation in a particular way):

The official government report puts things quite differently.

c) things

[plural] used for talking about life in a general way

Things have been getting better lately.

The government hasn't done much to change things in the countryside.

5) [countable] an aspect of life

I've become less concerned about material things.

a thing of the past:

His financial worries were a thing of the past.

6) [countable] an idea, a comment, or a piece of information

There are some interesting things in your report.

I have a few things to say to you.

If anyone asks you what I said, don't say a thing.

have things on your mind (= be thinking about them):

I have a few things on my mind right now.

the last thing on someone's mind (= something that someone is not thinking about now):

On holiday, work is the last thing on my mind.

7) [countable] used for referring to other examples or details, especially when you cannot or do not want to refer to them in a more specific way

What other things did he say to you?

My parents send me money for food, rent, and other things.

"Racism" means different things to different people.

that kind/sort of thing:

We spent the day swimming, playing on the beach, and that kind of thing.

things like:

I need to get a few things like milk, bread, and eggs.

8) [countable] spoken a young person or animal that you like. This word is used for saying something nice to them or about them

You poor thing, you cut your finger.

Who's that pretty young thing I saw you with yesterday?

•

be all things to all men/people — to please everyone, especially by doing many different things or by changing your behaviour a lot

You have to stop trying to be all things to all people.

have a thing for/about — informal to have very strong feelings about someone or something, especially feelings that are unusual or unreasonable

I have a thing about flying in planes; it scares me.

how are things? — used as a general greeting when you meet someone

I haven't seen you for years! Tell me, how are things?

it's one thing to..., it's another/a different thing to... — mainly spoken used for comparing two things when the second is much more important, serious, difficult etc than the first

It's one thing to forecast the weather, it's another thing to get it right!

it's a ... thing — spoken used for saying that something affects or involves a particular group of people and not others

You wouldn't understand, it's a girl thing.

(just) one of those things — a situation or an event that you cannot prevent or change

Injuries are just one of those things when you play rugby.

(quite) the thing — informal very fashionable or popular

Baggy jeans have become quite the thing among teenagers.

- among other things

- do your own thing

- last thing

- no such thing

- one thing after another

- one thing leads to another

- the thing is

- a thing or two

- what with one thing and another

See:

done I, equal I, first, one, same