Meaning of thing In English

• 0 used to refer in an approximate way to an object or to avoid naming it:

  • What's that thing over there?

  • There are some nice things in the shops this summer.

  • I don't eat sweet things (= sweet food).

  • How does this stupid thing work?

  • All their things were destroyed in the fire.

  • Bring your swimming things if the weather's nice.

  • Let me help you clear away the tea things (= cups, plates, etc. that are used for having tea).

• 1 used to refer in an approximate way to an idea, subject, event, action, etc.:

  • That was an unkind thing to say.

  • I've got so many things to do I don't know where to start.

  • Your information is correct but you left out one thing.

  • "What's the matter?" "It's this insurance thing. I'm really worried about it."

  • The article was exactly the thing I needed for my research.

  • The fire alarm goes off accidentally so often that when it's the real thing (= when it really does happen) nobody will take any notice.

  • Training isn't the same thing as education.

  • Let's call the whole thing off.

  • I want to forget the whole thing.

  • I value my freedom above all things.

  • Be true to yourself in all things.

  • If there's one thing I want to know, it's where he goes on Thursday afternoons.

• 2 used to refer to the general situation:

  • Things have been going very well recently.

  • It's a good thing (that) we booked our tickets early.

  • The way things are, I'll never have this ready by June.

• 3 used instead of "anything" to emphasize what you are saying:

  • Don't worry about a thing. I'll take care of it.

  • After the guests had gone, there wasn't a thing left to eat.

  • I'm going to a wedding on Saturday and I don't have a thing to wear.

  • He broke his promise and there wasn't a thing we could do about it.

• 4 used to talk about a particular action, agreement, etc.:

  • I went by plane, a thing I hardly ever do.

  • One thing you'll have to agree to is working in the evenings.

  • The first thing (to do) is to write your name at the top of the paper.

• 5 used to introduce a reason for something:

  • "Why won't you come to New York with me?" "For one thing, I don't like flying, and for another, I can't afford it."

• 6 used after an adjective to refer to a person or animal with love or sympathy:

  • The poor things were kept in small cages without room to move.

  • [ as form of address ] I can't believe you won - you lucky thing!

• 7 a device, product, or part of nature that is not named:

  • There’s a new thing that seals plastic bags.

  • There are some nice things in the stores on sale right now.

  • Get your things together and we’ll leave.

• 8 an event, thought, subject of discussion, or possibility:

  • A strange thing happened on my way to work today.

  • I have a few things to bring up at the next meeting.

  • Don’t worry about a thing – it’s all under control.

  • Things have been going really well for us this year.

• 9 a person or animal:

  • When did you eat last, you poor thing?