Word
thing
US/ˈθɪŋ/
UK/θˈɪŋ/
Definitions
01an object
A1 · Beginner Countable noun
n. an object that you can see or touch, but whose name you might not know or use.
n. an inanimate physical object or entity, often used when the specific name is unknown or irrelevant.
日本語:物、こと※
“What is that metal thing on the kitchen table?”
“He picked up a small, rusted thing from the garden path, wondering if it was a part of the old lawnmower.”
02an idea or fact
A1 · Beginner Countable noun
n. a fact, idea, or event that you are talking about.
n. an abstract concept, event, or circumstance.
日本語:こと※
“The best thing about the holiday was the beautiful weather.”
“The most important thing to remember during the interview is to remain calm and answer each question clearly.”
03possessions
A2 · Elementary Plural noun
n. the clothes and personal items that belong to you.
n. personal belongings, equipment, or clothing; almost always used in the plural.
“Don't forget to pack all your things before we leave the hotel.”
“She spent the afternoon gathering her things from the office, preparing for her move to the new branch in the city.”
Synonyms
04a social habit or trend
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Informal
n. an activity or trend that is common or accepted in society.
n. a recognized social practice, trend, or phenomenon.
“Is working from a coffee shop still a thing in this city?”
“Virtual reality gaming has finally become a real thing, with millions of users joining online worlds every day.”
05personal preference
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal
n. something that you particularly like or are good at.
n. a personal interest, specialty, or idiosyncratic preference.
“I tried painting, but it just isn't really my thing.”
“While some people enjoy loud parties, quiet evenings at home with a book have always been more her thing.”
06a creature
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. a living person or animal, often used when you feel sorry for them.
n. a living being, frequently used with an adjective to express pity, affection, or contempt.
“The poor thing was shivering outside in the rain.”
“She is a sweet little thing, always trying to help her classmates with their homework.”
07a romantic relationship
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal
n. a romantic or sexual relationship between two people.
n. a romantic or sexual involvement, often one that is not yet fully defined or public.
“I didn't know that Sarah and Mark had a thing going on.”
“They had a brief thing during the summer, but they decided to remain just friends once the semester started.”
Synonyms
08historical assembly
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Law Archaic · Technical
n. a meeting or court in old Germanic societies.
n. a governing assembly or judicial council in historical Germanic or Scandinavian societies.
Español:thing
“The leaders met at the thing to decide on the new laws.”
“The Icelandic Althing is considered one of the oldest surviving parliaments, originating from the traditional Germanic thing.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “thing” in context.
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *tenk-? Proto-Indo-European *tenkóm Proto-Germanic *þingą Proto-West Germanic *þing Old English þing Middle English thing English thing From Middle English thing, from Old English þing, from Proto-West Germanic þing, from Proto-Germanic þingą. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Ding (“thing”), West Frisian ting, ding (“thing”), Dutch ding (“thing”), German Low German Ding (“thing”), German Ding (“thing”), Swedish, Danish and Norwegian ting (“thing”), Faroese ting (“parliament, assembly”), Icelandic þing (“congress, assembly”). The word originally meant "assembly", then came to mean a specific issue discussed at such an assembly, and ultimately came to mean most broadly "an object". Compare Latin rēs, also meaning "legal matter", and same transition from Latin causa (“legal matter”) to "thing" in Romance languages. Modern use to refer to a Germanic assembly is likely influenced by cognates (from the same Proto-Germanic root) like Old Norse þing (“thing”), Danish ting, Swedish ting, and Old High German ding with this meaning.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Related words
Idioms
01. be a thing
02. best thing since sliced bread
03. best thing since sliced pan
09. greatest thing since sliced bread
Show all 22
11. last thing
17. show someone a thing or two
19. that's the thing
20. the thing is
21. the thing of it
The word in film
The Thing · 1982 · Mystery
- Directed by:
- John Carpenter
- Starring:
- Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David
John Carpenter directed this classic horror movie about a group of researchers in Antarctica who encounter a dangerous alien life form. The title describes this terrifying creature, which can change its shape to look like any animal or human it touches.
Domain
- 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.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL 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: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/thing
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0