contemplation

/ˌkɒntəmˈpleɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌkɑːntəmˈpleɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌkän-təm-ˈplā-shən -ˌtem-/ (ame, mw)

contemplation — noun

1. the activity of thinking seriously and calmly about something for a long time, o

1.名詞B2
釋義

the activity of thinking seriously and calmly about something for a long time, often without speaking or moving

例句

After the funeral, Arjun sat by the river in quiet contemplation.

collocation: 'in quiet contemplation'

Hui's face had a look of deep contemplation as she studied the ancient poem.

collocation: 'deep contemplation'

同義詞
  • reflection

    more personal and everyday; does not imply as much stillness or length

  • meditation

    more structured or spiritual; often a deliberate practice rather than a spontaneous state

  • thought

    more general; can refer to any mental activity, not necessarily deep or prolonged

反義詞
  • distraction

    the opposite mental state, where attention is scattered

  • inattention

    failure to direct one's mind to something

文法句型

in contemplation

in contemplation of [abstract topic]

lost in contemplation

用法筆記

Typically uncountable. Often appears in fixed phrases such as 'in contemplation' and 'lost in contemplation' to describe a silent, absorbed mental state. Common in formal, literary, and reflective registers.

常見錯誤

❌I sat in a contemplation all afternoon.
✅I sat in contemplation all afternoon.
💡Contemplation is uncountable; do not add 'a' before it.
❌He spent an hour with contemplation about the universe.
✅He spent an hour in contemplation of the universe.
💡The correct preposition pattern is 'in contemplation of', not 'with contemplation about.'

2. the act of watching someone or something steadily and carefully, taking in what

2.名詞C1
釋義

the act of watching someone or something steadily and carefully, taking in what you see over a long period

例句

Otis stood before the painting for an hour in silent contemplation of its brushstrokes.

collocation: 'in silent contemplation of [artwork]'

The scientist's patient contemplation of the cell structure revealed a new pattern.

同義詞
  • observation

    more general and neutral; does not carry the same connotation of calm, sustained attention

  • gazing

    more physical and less intellectual; focuses on the act of looking rather than thoughtful noticing

反義詞
  • glance

    a brief, casual look — the opposite of sustained attention

  • disregard

    deliberate inattention to something visible

文法句型

contemplation of [concrete object]

in contemplation of [visual scene]

用法筆記

Typically followed by 'of' to specify what is being observed visually. More frequent in descriptive, artistic, and scientific writing than in everyday conversation.

常見錯誤

❌Her contemplation on the mountains lasted an hour.
✅Her contemplation of the mountains lasted an hour.
💡Use 'contemplation of', not 'contemplation on', for visual observation.
❌A scholar's contemplations of the document were thorough.
✅A scholar's contemplation of the document was thorough.
💡This sense is uncountable even when the observation is detailed.