thing

Meaning

1. That which is considered to exist as a separate entity, object, quality or concept.
2. A word, symbol, sign, or other referent that can be used to refer to any entity.
3. An individual object or distinct entity.
4. Whatever can be owned.
5. Corporeal object.
6. Possessions or equipment; stuff; gear.
7. The latest fad or fashion.
8. (informal) A custom or practice.
9. (informal) A genuine concept, entity or phenomenon; something that actually exists (often contrary to expectation or belief).
10. (informal) A unit or container, usually containing consumable goods.
11. (informal) A problem, dilemma, or complicating factor.
12. (informal) The central point; the crux.
13. (slang) A penis.
14. A living being or creature.
15. Used after a noun to refer dismissively to the situation surrounding the noun's referent.
16. (informal) That which is favoured; personal preference.
17. (informal) One's typical routine, habits, or manner.
18. A public assembly or judicial council in a Germanic country.
19. (informal) A romantic relationship.
20. (informal) A romantic couple.
21. Alternative form of ting.
22. Girl; attractive woman.

Frequency

Pronounced as (IPA)

/θɪŋ/

Etymology

From Middle English thing, from Old English þing, from Proto-West Germanic *þing, from Proto-Germanic *þingą. Compare West Frisian ding, Low German Ding, Dutch ding, German Ding, Swedish, Danish and Norwegian ting, Finnish tinki. The word originally meant "assembly", then came to mean a specific issue discussed at such an assembly, and ultimately came to mean most broadly "an object". Compare Latin rēs, also meaning "legal matter", and same transition from Latin causa (“legal matter”) to "thing" in Romance languages. Modern use to refer to a Germanic assembly is likely influenced by cognates (from the same Proto-Germanic root) like Old Norse þing (“thing”), Danish ting, Swedish ting, and Old High German ding with this meaning.