Word
contemplate
Phoneticscon·tem·plate, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkɑntəmˌpɫeɪt/
UK/kˈɒntɪmplˌeɪt/
Definitions
01to think deeply
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to look at or think about something carefully for a long time.
v. to observe or consider something with continued attention and deliberate care.
“She sat by the window to contemplate the meaning of the letter she had just received.”
“The philosopher spent his final years in the mountains, where he could contemplate the complexities of human existence without distraction.”
02to consider a possibility
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to think about doing something in the future.
v. to consider a particular course of action as a serious possibility.
Español:contemplar
“The couple began to contemplate moving to the countryside after their first child was born.”
“Faced with declining profits, the board of directors had to contemplate the possibility of closing several international branches.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “contemplate” in context.
Verb
01. contemplate leaving the country
“Given the political instability, many young professionals are contemplating leaving the country.”
verb + noun
02. contemplate the consequences
“Before you resign, you must carefully contemplate the consequences of such a sudden move.”
verb + noun
03. contemplate the future
“Graduates often spend the summer contemplating the future and their career paths.”
verb + noun
04. stop and contemplate
“In our busy lives, we rarely stop and contemplate the meaning of our daily actions.”
verb + and + verb
Adverb
05. briefly contemplate
“I briefly contemplated moving to the countryside, but I realized I would miss the city life.”
adv + verb
06. grimly contemplate
“The general grimly contemplated the possibility of a long and drawn-out conflict.”
adv + verb
07. quietly contemplate
“She sat by the lake for hours, quietly contemplating the beauty of the landscape.”
adv + verb
08. seriously contemplate
“After the recent budget cuts, the department is seriously contemplating a reduction in staff.”
adv + verb
Usage
The verb is transitive and can be followed by a noun or a gerund; it is rarely used with a 'to-infinitive'.
Pitfall
I am contemplating to move to Spain
I am contemplating moving to Spain
Contemplate is followed by a gerund (-ing form), not an infinitive.
Real-World Examples
“As summer begins and Tad’s illness progresses, though, Frog must contemplate an unthinkable future.” “From the Scottish archipelago of St Kilda come this avian-inspired group, whose new album for AD93 contemplates the island’s birds.” Etymology
First attested in the 1590s; borrowed from Latin contemplātus, the perfect active participle of contemplor (“to observe, survey, gaze (at), contemplate”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix). See also template.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/contemplate
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0