# thing

/ˈθɪŋ/ (US) · /θˈɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/thing
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. an object

noun · CEFR A1

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

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

- 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.

### 2. an idea or fact

noun · CEFR A1

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

For teachers: an abstract concept, event, or circumstance.

- 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.

### 3. possessions

noun · CEFR A2

the clothes and personal items that belong to you.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. a social habit or trend

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

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

For teachers: 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.

### 5. personal preference

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

something that you particularly like or are good at.

For teachers: 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.

### 6. a creature

noun · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 7. a romantic relationship

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a romantic or sexual relationship between two people.

For teachers: 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.

### 8. historical assembly

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

a meeting or court in old Germanic societies.

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

- 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.

## Examples

- What is that thing on the table?
- I have a few things to finish at the office before I can meet you for dinner.
- The witness struggled to describe the physical thing she saw in the shadows, yet her conviction about its presence remained unshaken throughout the cross-examination.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.