contemplate

C1 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ˈkɑn.təmˌpleɪt/ UK /ˈkɒn.təmˌpleɪt/ See IPA manual

Freq #17745

Meanings

1

verb
To think carefully about doing something as a possibility.

I contemplated leaving school and taking a full-time job.
2

verb
To think deeply and at length about something.

She sat by the window, contemplating the meaning of her dream.
3

verb
To look at something thoughtfully for a long time.

He stood on the cliff, contemplating the vast ocean below.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

2 verb · to think deeply and at... muse ponder

Word family

Forms contemplatedcontemplatescontemplating

Derived forms contemplatablecontemplatinglycontemplatistrecontemplateuncontemplated

Related forms contemplation contemplativecontemplatorcontemplatorycontemplatrix

Etymology

First attested in the 1590s; borrowed from Latin contemplātus, the perfect active participle of contemplor (“to observe, survey, gaze (at), contemplate”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix). See also template.

Topics

Actions & Processes Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# contemplate

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /ˈkɑn.təmˌpleɪt/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈkɒn.təmˌpleɪt/
**Frequency rank:** 17745

## Meanings
1. To think carefully about doing something as a possibility.
2. To think deeply and at length about something.
3. To look at something thoughtfully for a long time.

## Examples
- I contemplated leaving school and taking a full-time job.
- She sat by the window, contemplating the meaning of her dream.
- He stood on the cliff, contemplating the vast ocean below.

## Derived Forms
- contemplatable
- contemplatingly
- contemplatist
- recontemplate
- uncontemplated

## Related Forms
- contemplation
- contemplative
- contemplator
- contemplatory
- contemplatrix

## Etymology
First attested in the 1590s; borrowed from Latin contemplātus, the perfect active participle of contemplor (“to observe, survey, gaze (at), contemplate”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix). See also template.

## AI Etymology
Contemplate is first attested in the 1590s and was borrowed from Latin contemplātus, the perfect active participle of contemplor (“to observe, survey, gaze (at), contemplate”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix). See also template. The surrounding word family includes derived forms such as contemplatable, contemplatingly, contemplatist, and recontemplate and related forms such as contemplation, contemplative, and contemplator. In present use it covers to think carefully about doing something as a possibility, to think deeply and at length about something, and to look at something thoughtfully for a long time.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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