/ θɪŋ; NAmE / noun
OBJECT
1.
[ C ] an object whose name you do not use because you do not need to or want to, or because you do not know it :
Can you pass me that thing over there?
She's very fond of sweet things (= sweet foods) .
He's just bought one of those exercise things.
Turn that thing off while I'm talking to you!
2.
[ C ] an object that is not alive in the way that people and plants are :
Don't treat her like that—she's a person, not a thing!
He's good at making things with his hands.
She took no interest in the people and things around her.
POSSESSIONS / EQUIPMENT
3.
things [ pl. ] objects, clothing or tools that belong to sb or are used for a particular purpose :
Shall I help you pack your things?
Bring your swimming things with you.
I'll just clear away the breakfast things.
Put your things (= coat, etc.) on and let's go.
ANYTHING
4.
a thing [ sing. ] used with negatives to mean 'anything' in order to emphasize what you are saying :
I haven't got a thing to wear!
There wasn't a thing we could do to help.
Ignore what he said—it doesn't mean a thing .
FACT / EVENT / SITUATION / ACTION
5.
[ C ] a fact, an event, a situation or an action; what sb says or thinks :
There are a lot of things she doesn't know about me.
There's another thing I'd like to ask you.
A terrible thing happened last night.
He found the whole thing (= the situation) very boring.
I've got loads of things to do today.
The main thing to remember is to switch off the burglar alarm.
I like camping, climbing and that sort of thing .
She said the first thing that came into her head.
'Why did you tell her our secret?' 'I did no such thing !'
Let's forget the whole thing (= everything) .
6.
things [ pl. ] the general situation, as it affects sb :
Things haven't gone entirely to plan.
( informal )
Hi, Jane! How are things ?
Think things over before you decide.
As things stand at present, he seems certain to win.
All things considered (= considering all the difficulties or problems) , she's done very well.
Why do you make things so difficult for yourself?
WHAT IS NEEDED / RIGHT
7.
[ C , usually sing. ] what is needed or socially acceptable :
You need something to cheer you up—I know just the thing!
to say the right / wrong thing
The best thing to do is to apologize.
THINGS OF PARTICULAR TYPE
8.
things [ pl. ] ( formal ) (followed by an adjective) all that can be described in a particular way :
She loves all things Japanese.
CREATURE
9.
[ C ] (used with an adjective) a living creature :
All living things are composed of cells.
PERSON / ANIMAL
10.
[ C ] (with an adjective) ( informal ) used to talk to or about a person or an animal, to show how you feel about them :
You silly thing!
You must be starving, you poor things.
The cat's very ill, poor old thing.
•
IDIOMS
- A is one thing, B is another | it's one thing to do A, it's another thing to do B
- all / other things being equal
- and things (like that)
- be all things to all men / people
- come to / be the same thing
- be a good thing (that) ...
- be no bad thing (that) ...
- be onto a good thing
- do things to sb
- do your own thing
- first / last thing
- first things first
- for one thing
- have a thing about sb/sth
- it isn't my, his, etc. thing
- it's a ... thing
- know / tell sb a thing or two (about sb/sth)
- make a (big) thing of / about sth
- not know, etc. the first thing about sth/sb
- not quite the thing
- (just) one of those things
- one (damned / damn) thing after another
- one thing leads to another
- be seeing / hearing things
- there's only one thing for it
- these things are sent to try us
- the thing is
- the thing (about / with sth/sb) is
- the (whole) ... thing
- things that go bump in the night
- too much of a good thing
- (what) with one thing and another
—more at chance noun , close (II) adjective , close (II) adverb , day , decent , done , easy adverb , nature , near adjective , only adjective , overdo , push verb , real , scheme noun , shape noun , sure adjective , turn verb , way noun , work verb
••
SYNONYMS
things
stuff ♦ possessions ♦ junk ♦ belongings ♦ goods ♦ valuables
These are all words for objects or items, especially ones that you own or have with you at a particular time.
things
( rather informal ) objects, clothing or tools that you own or that are used for a particular purpose:
Shall I help you pack your things?
•
Bring your swimming things.
stuff
[U] ( informal ) used to refer to a group of objects when you do not know their names, when the names are not important or when it is obvious what you are talking about:
Where's all my stuff?
possessions
things that you own, especially sth that can be moved:
Prisoners were allowed no personal possessions except letters and photographs.
junk
[U] things that are considered useless or of little value:
I've cleared out all that old junk from the attic.
belongings
possessions that can be moved, especially ones that you have with you at a particular time:
Please make sure you have all your belongings with you when leaving the plane.
goods
( rather formal or technical ) possessions that can be moved:
He was found guilty of handling stolen goods .
valuables
things that are worth a lot of money, especially small personal things such as jewellery or cameras:
Never leave cash or other valuables lying around.
PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS :
personal things / stuff / possessions / belongings
worldly possessions / belongings / goods
to collect / gather / pack (up) your / the things / stuff / possessions / belongings
to go through / look through / search sb's / your / the things / stuff / possessions / belongings
••
VOCABULARY BUILDING
other words for thing
Instead of using the word thing , try to use more precise and interesting words, especially in formal written English.
aspect
That was the most puzzling aspect of the situation.
(
...the most puzzling thing about...
)
attribute
Curiosity is an essential attribute for a journalist.
(
...an essential thing for a journalist to have.
)
characteristic
This bird has several interesting characteristics.
(
There are several interesting things about this bird.
)
detail
I want to know every detail of what happened.
(
...everything about...
)
feature
Noise is a familiar feature of city life.
(
...a familiar thing in city life.
)
issue
She has campaigned on many controversial issues.
(
...many controversial things.
)
matter
We have several important matters to deal with at this meeting.
(
...several important things...
)
point
That's a very interesting point you made.
(
...a very interesting thing you said.
)
subject
The book covers a number of subjects.
(
...a number of things.
)
topic
We discussed a wide range of topics.
(
...a wide range of things.
)
trait
Her generosity is one of her most attractive traits.
(
...one of the most attractive things about her.
)
Don't use thing after an adjective when the adjective can be used on its own:
Having your own computer is very useful.
• Having your own computer is a very useful thing.
It is often more natural to use words like something , anything , etc. instead of thing :
I have something important to tell you.
• I have an important thing to tell you. •
Do you want anything else?
• Do you want any other thing?
It is more natural to say a lot , a great deal , much , etc. rather than many things :
I have so much to tell you.
• I have so many things to tell you. •
She knows a lot about basketball.
• She knows many things about basketball.
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English , of Germanic origin; related to German Ding . Early senses included meeting and matter, concern as well as inanimate object .