ENGLISH
REFERENCE

thing

n.
US //ˈθɪŋ// UK //θˈɪŋ// thing
  1. 1 an object (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    an object that you can see or touch, but whose name you might not know or use.

    an inanimate physical object or entity, often used when the specific name is unknown or irrelevant.

    Example

    What is that metal thing on the kitchen table?

    Example

    He picked up a small, rusted thing from the garden path, wondering if it was a part of the old lawnmower.
  2. 2 an idea or fact (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    a fact, idea, or event that you are talking about.

    an abstract concept, event, or circumstance.

    Example

    The best thing about the holiday was the beautiful weather.

    Example

    The most important thing to remember during the interview is to remain calm and answer each question clearly.
Show 6 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 possessions (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the clothes and personal items that belong to you.

    personal belongings, equipment, or clothing; almost always used in the plural.

    Example

    Don't forget to pack all your things before we leave the hotel.

    Example

    She spent the afternoon gathering her things from the office, preparing for her move to the new branch in the city.
  2. 4 a social habit or trend (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal

    an activity or trend that is common or accepted in society.

    a recognized social practice, trend, or phenomenon.

    Example

    Is working from a coffee shop still a thing in this city?

    Example

    Virtual reality gaming has finally become a real thing, with millions of users joining online worlds every day.
  3. 5 personal preference (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    something that you particularly like or are good at.

    a personal interest, specialty, or idiosyncratic preference.

    Example

    I tried painting, but it just isn't really my thing.

    Example

    While some people enjoy loud parties, quiet evenings at home with a book have always been more her thing.
  4. 6 a creature (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a living person or animal, often used when you feel sorry for them.

    a living being, frequently used with an adjective to express pity, affection, or contempt.

    Example

    The poor thing was shivering outside in the rain.

    Example

    She is a sweet little thing, always trying to help her classmates with their homework.
  5. 7 a romantic relationship (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    a romantic or sexual relationship between two people.

    a romantic or sexual involvement, often one that is not yet fully defined or public.

    Example

    I didn't know that Sarah and Mark had a thing going on.

    Example

    They had a brief thing during the summer, but they decided to remain just friends once the semester started.
  6. 8 historical assembly (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic Technical Law

    a meeting or court in old Germanic societies.

    a governing assembly or judicial council in historical Germanic or Scandinavian societies.

    Example

    The leaders met at the thing to decide on the new laws.

    Example

    The Icelandic Althing is considered one of the oldest surviving parliaments, originating from the traditional Germanic thing.
Origin

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.

Word family
Idioms22 entries

© 2026 English Reference