TKG English Learner's Dictionary

thing

thingnoun

American /θɪŋ/ British /θɪŋ/
plural things
very commondefining vocabulary

A thing is any object, action, event, or idea that a speaker talks about without giving it a more exact name.

  1. objectan object, especially one that you do not name, cannot name, or do not need to name

    countable [C]

    Collocations

    adjective + noun a strange thing, a little thing, a sharp thing, a heavy thing, the same thing
    verb + noun pick things up, put things away, carry things, collect things, break things

    Synonyms object; item

    Compare stuff (stuff is uncountable and more informal)

    1. athe clothes, tools, and other objects that belong to someone or are used for an activity

      countable [C] usually plural [usu pl]

      Collocations

      verb + noun pack your things, collect your things, put your things away, leave your things somewhere

    2. ba living animal, plant, or person

      Collocations

      adjective + noun living things, growing things

  2. matter or ideaan action, event, idea, statement, or fact, when you do not name it more exactly

    countable [C]

    Collocations

    adjective + noun a good thing, a bad thing, the right thing, the wrong thing, the main thing, the important thing, the whole thing, a funny thing
    verb + noun do the right thing, say the wrong thing, learn things, forget things, have things to do
    phrase the thing to do, one thing at a time, the same thing, another thing

    Synonyms matter

    1. athe general situation, or life in general

      plural only [pl]

      Collocations

      noun + verb things change, things improve, things get better, things go wrong, things look up
      verb + noun take things easy, make things worse, make things difficult, sort things out
      phrase the way things are, as things stand, how are things

  3. anythinganything at all, after not or another negative word

    A thing here is an emphatic anything: I cannot see a thing means I can see nothing at all. It is common in speech.

    singular only [sing]

    Collocations

    phrase not a thing, not see a thing, not say a thing, not know a thing about, not do a thing

  4. person or animala person or an animal, after an adjective that shows how you feel about them

    countable [C] informal

    Collocations

    adjective + noun poor thing, lucky thing, sweet thing, silly thing, little thing, old thing

    For translators (sense 4)

    Meaning across languages Other languages often use a word for creature, little one, or soul here; the ordinary word for an object would sound strange.

  5. what is neededexactly what is needed, wanted, or in fashion

    singular only [sing]

    Collocations

    phrase just the thing, the very thing, the latest thing, the in thing, the thing to do

Phrases

the thing is informal

used to introduce the main point, a problem, or a reason for something

Spoken. It is often followed by that, and it often introduces an excuse or an objection. The thing about someone or something is introduces a point about them: The thing about Kim is that she never gives up.

first thing

early in the morning, before doing anything else

Last thing (at night) means just before going to bed. Both are used without a preposition.

for one thing

used to give one reason among several, usually the first

Often followed by for another (thing).

it's a good thing

used to say that you are pleased that something happened or was done, because it prevented trouble

the real thing

a real example of something, not a copy or something used instead of it

all things considered

when everything about the situation has been taken into account

do your own thing informal

do what you want or what suits you, without caring what others do

have a thing about something informal

have an unusually strong feeling about something, either liking it very much or disliking or fearing it

Have a thing for someone means be attracted to them: I think Sam has a thing for Mari.

one of those things

an unpleasant event that happens sometimes, cannot be explained, and must be accepted

of all things

used to show surprise at a choice or an event, because it is the last one you would expect

a thing of the past

something that no longer exists or happens

not know the first thing about something

know nothing at all about something

know a thing or two about something informal

know a lot about something, from experience

make a big thing of something informal

treat something as more important or serious than it is

Also make a big thing out of something.

be a thing informalnew

exist as an accepted idea, activity, or fashion

sure thing informalAmerican

used to say yes or to agree to do something

As a noun, a sure thing is something certain to happen or succeed: The team is a sure thing to win.

the next best thing

something that is not what you really want but is nearly as good

one thing led to another

used to say that one event caused the next, and so on, often without any plan

no such thing

used to say that something does not exist

Usually there is no such thing as something. Also a strong denial: I did no such thing!

the last thing

the thing that is least wanted, expected, or likely

Used with want, need, expect, and similar verbs.

all things being equal

if nothing else changes or affects the result

Word family

Choosing between thing · object · item · stuff

Thing is the general word, used when you do not know or do not need the exact name: What's that thing? An object is a solid thing that can be seen and touched, and the word is more formal: a small metal object. An item is one thing in a list, a shop, or a collection: the last item on the list. Stuff is informal and uncountable, for things together without saying what they are: Put your stuff in the car.

Usage

Thing is vague on purpose. Speakers use it when the exact word is unknown, unimportant, or would sound too formal, and in speech it sounds natural. In careful writing it is better to name the thing when you can: object, matter, factor, feature, event. Things in the plural often means the situation in general: How are things?

See also stuff

For translators

Meaning across languages Thing can stand for an object, an action, an event, a matter, an idea, or even a person, so other languages often need several words for it; choose by what thing replaces in the sentence. Things in the plural often means the situation in general and may translate as everything or life.
Grammar trap Countable and always with a determiner or in the plural: a thing, the thing, things. Where some languages use a mass word, English often uses the plural things or the uncountable stuff. After negatives, a thing means anything at all.
Pronunciation trap Th is the sound of think and thin, not of this, made with the tongue between the teeth; the word ends in the ng sound of sing with no g sound after it. Things ends with a z sound.