contemplate

Intermediatezipf 3.41

Pronunciation

/ˈkɒntəmpleɪt/(KON-tum-playt)

Part of speech

verbformal

Chinese

深思；考虑；凝视（带有深层思考的含义）

Definition

To think deeply and carefully about something for a long time; to consider as a possibility.

Word family

  • contemplation/ˌkɒntəmˈpleɪʃən/(n)沉思
  • contemplative/kənˈtɛmplətɪv/(adj)沉思的

Collocations

  • contemplate life
  • contemplate quitting
  • contemplate the future
  • contemplate a move

Examples

  1. 1.He sat by the lake, contemplating the meaning of success. (deep thought)
  2. 2.She's contemplating a career change. (considering seriously)

Synonyms

  • ponder/ˈpɒndə/— weigh carefully in mind
  • reflect/rɪˈflɛkt/— think back, often about past
  • mull over /mʌl ˈəʊvə/ (informal, turn over in mind)

Etymology

con- (with) + templum (a space for observation) — observe in a sacred space, think deeply