thinker

/ˈθɪŋkə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈθɪŋkər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈthiŋkə(r)/ (ame, mw)

thinker — noun

  • thinkersingular
  • thinkersplural

1. someone who examines big questions in areas like philosophy, science, or politic

1.名詞B2
釋義

someone who examines big questions in areas like philosophy, science, or politics, and often shares their ideas through writing or discussion

例句

The Greek thinker Aristotle wrote about ethics, politics, and the natural world.

adjective + thinker specifying field

Camila admires several feminist thinkers who shaped modern views on equality.

collocation: feminist thinker / political thinker / scientific thinker

同義詞
  • intellectual

    Focuses on someone engaged in academic or cultural work; 'thinker' emphasizes the act of deep thought itself

  • philosopher

    More specific — refers to someone who studies or writes about the fundamental nature of knowledge and existence

  • theorist

    Someone who develops abstract ideas or systems; more specialized than the general 'thinker'

  • scholar

    Emphasizes formal academic study rather than original or independent thought

文法句型

thinker + who + verb

adjective + thinker

用法筆記

Often paired with an adjective or a who-clause that names the thinker's field (e.g., political thinker, thinkers who study language). Without a modifying adjective, the word usually refers to a person recognized for intellectual depth rather than just anyone who thinks.

常見錯誤

❌He is a thinker about science.
✅He is a scientific thinker.
💡Use an adjective before 'thinker' instead of a prepositional phrase with 'about.'
❌She is thinker of the group.
✅She is a thinker in the group.
💡'Thinker' is a countable noun and needs an article; use 'in' for group membership.

2. someone whose mind works in a specific manner — for example, with creativity, ca

2.名詞B1
釋義

someone whose mind works in a specific manner — for example, with creativity, care, speed, or optimism when forming ideas or solving problems

例句

Creative thinker Noa noticed users planning meals in the company's note app, an idea the designers missed.

pattern: adjective + thinker

The manager needs a quick thinker to handle emergency calls at the centre.

collocation: quick thinker

同義詞
  • reasoner

    More technical or formal; emphasises logical steps rather than overall style

  • problem-solver

    Focuses on finding answers to specific challenges rather than general thinking style

文法句型

adjective + thinker

用法筆記

Nearly always appears with an adjective that specifies the thinking style (quick, creative, careful, positive, independent, logical, critical, visual). Without the adjective, a reader will understand Sense 1 — so omitting the modifier changes the meaning entirely.

常見錯誤

❌She is a thinker quick.
✅She is a quick thinker.
💡The adjective must come before 'thinker,' not after.
❌He is a thinker.' (when describing his quick thinking style)
✅He is a quick thinker.
💡Without the adjective, the sentence suggests he is an intellectual (Sense 1), not someone who thinks fast.