thoughts

IPA/θɔːt/
KK[θˈɔts]IPA/θɑːt/

thoughts — noun

  • thoughtssingular
  • thoughtsesplural

1. Something that you think of or believe, which forms in your mind and may stay pr

1.名詞A2
釋義

Something that you think of or believe, which forms in your mind and may stay private or be described to others.

例句

Lotte shared her thoughts about the new library design with the class.

collocation: shared her thoughts about

Faisal asked each team member for their thoughts on the deadline.

同義詞
  • ideas

    more general; thoughts often imply reflection before the idea forms

  • opinions

    stronger sense of personal judgment; thoughts can be more tentative

  • views

    slightly more formal; often about broad topics or positions

文法句型

subject's + thoughts + about/on + noun phrase

have + thoughts + about/on + noun phrase

用法筆記

In this sense, thoughts is the plural form of the countable noun thought. The singular form typically refers to one specific idea (e.g., 'I had a sudden thought').

常見錯誤

❌I will tell you my think about the plan.
✅I will tell you my thoughts on the plan.
💡'Think' is a verb; the noun you need is 'thoughts'.

2. The activity of using your mind to consider something carefully, especially when

2.名詞B1
釋義

The activity of using your mind to consider something carefully, especially when a decision or judgment is needed.

例句

After some quiet thought, Ramón agreed to take the job in Kaohsiung.

after some + (adjective) + thought (pre-decision pattern)

The team's proposal deserves serious thought before we vote on it.

deserves + (adjective) + thought (recommendation pattern)

同義詞
  • consideration

    slightly more formal; suggests weighing factors carefully

  • reflection

    implies slow, deliberate thinking, often looking back at past events

  • contemplation

    more formal and prolonged; suggests deep mental focus

文法句型

give + (something) + thought

lost in thought

with + (adjective) + thought

用法筆記

This sense is uncountable and uses the singular form thought, not thoughts. Common in phrases like 'give something thought', 'deep in thought', or 'with careful thought'.

常見錯誤

❌I gave the problem many thoughts before deciding.
✅I gave the problem a lot of thought before deciding.
💡When thought means 'careful consideration,' it is uncountable and cannot be plural.

3. The main ideas, beliefs, and ways of thinking that are typical of a particular g

3.名詞B2
釋義

The main ideas, beliefs, and ways of thinking that are typical of a particular group, society, historical period, or academic field.

例句

Western thought on education has influenced school systems across Asia.

proper noun + thought (school of thought)

Lakshmi is studying ancient Greek thought at the National University.

同義詞
  • philosophy

    more formal and narrower; thought can include informal beliefs, not only formal philosophy

  • ideology

    more political and rigid; thought is broader and less prescriptive

  • doctrine

    formal set of principles taught as true; thought is more open-ended

文法句型

(period/group/culture/field) + thought

用法筆記

Typically uncountable in this sense. Often appears with an adjective referring to a period (ancient/medieval/modern thought), a region (Eastern/Western thought), or a field (political/scientific/economic thought).

常見錯誤

❌Confucian thoughts are still important in Chinese culture.
✅Confucian thought is still important in Chinese culture.
💡When referring to the collective body of ideas from a tradition, use the uncountable singular thought.