contemplate

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++con·tem·plate /ˈkɒntəmpleɪt $ ˈkɑːn-/ verb 1 [transitive]THINK ABOUT to think about something that you might do in the future 打算，想，考虑 SYN consider He had even contemplated suicide. 他甚至想过自杀。contemplate doing something Did you ever contemplate resigning? 你有没有考虑过辞职？► see thesaurus at think2 [transitive]THINK ABOUT to accept the possibility that something is true 考虑接受；视…为可能too dreadful/horrifying etc to contemplate The thought that she might be dead was too terrible to contemplate. 她可能已经死了的想法真是太可怕了，让人都不敢想下去。3 [intransitive, transitive]THINK ABOUT to think about something seriously for a period of time 深思；细想 SYN consider Jack went on vacation to contemplate his future. 杰克去度假，仔细思考一下他的未来。contemplate what/whether/how etc She sat down and contemplated what she had done. 她坐下来细想自己所做的事。contemplate your navel (=think so much about your own life that you do not notice other important things – used humorously) 苦思冥想；一心反思〔以至于忽略了其他重要的事情，幽默用法〕4 [transitive] to look at someone or something for a period of time in a way that shows you are thinking 凝视，注视 He contemplated her with a faint smile. 他微微含笑注视着她。→ See Verb table

Examples from the Corpus

contemplate• A spokeswoman denied that job losses were being contemplated.• Though family planning services are theoretically available to them, they are not even contemplated at such an early age.• The government was contemplating fining anyone who was found within the island's danger zone.• Meanwhile the audience contemplates his grand opus, wondering what comes next.• Run, I think now as I sit in the dark contemplating Marcy Lupino.• Isn't 17 a little young to be contemplating marriage?• The dealer contemplated suing the recruitment agency until he found a better job.• It starts when organizational leaders, planners, and consultants are contemplating the alternatives available to them at a strategic moment.• Secondly, we shall need to contemplate the various options available for disposing of the company's properties.• Five years back he would not have even contemplated the Wiring Project.• The rollercoaster stops briefly during each of the loops so that riders can contemplate their own mortality.• Many years ago he had contemplated writing a book about his childhood.contemplate doing something• Have you ever contemplated committing suicide?too dreadful/horrifying etc to contemplate• The latent thought is the notion that Gloucester may be plotting to murder him - an idea too horrifying to contemplate.• The results of that are too horrifying to contemplate.contemplate what/whether/how etc• He didn't want to contemplate what he smelt like.• A near miracle to those of us who have been contemplating what seemed an eternal building site.• She sat down and sipped the wine and contemplated what she had done.• Soon, however, California teens may no longer be contemplating whether to pierce or not to pierce.Origin contemplate (1500-1600) Latin past participle of contemplari, from com- ( → COM-) + templum ( → TEMPLE)

con·tem·plate verbChineseSyllable

to in think that something do you might Corpus about

contemplate
con‧tem‧plate /ˈkɒntəmpleɪt $ ˈkɑːn-/

verb

Date: 1500-1600
Language: Latin
Origin: past participle of contemplari, from com- ( ⇨ COM-) + templum (, temple)

1. [transitive] to think about something that you might do in the future
SYN consider:

He had even contemplated suicide.
contemplate doing something

Did you ever contemplate resigning?
2. [transitive] to accept the possibility that something is true
too dreadful/horrifying etc to contemplate

The thought that she might be dead was too terrible to contemplate.
3. [intransitive and transitive] to think about something seriously for a period of time
SYN consider:

Jack went on vacation to contemplate his future.
contemplate what/whether/how etc

She sat down and contemplated what she had done.
contemplate your navel (=think so much about your own life that you do not notice other important things – used humorously)
4. [transitive] to look at someone or something for a period of time in a way that shows you are thinking:

He contemplated her with a faint smile.

THESAURUS

■ to think about something
   ▪ think to use your mind to decide about something, form an opinion, imagine something etc: I’ve been thinking about what you said – maybe you’re right. | I need some time to think.
   ▪ consider to think about something carefully before deciding what to do: Have you considered working for a year before going to college?
   ▪ weigh (also weigh up British English) to carefully think about a plan or choice by comparing all the advantages and disadvantages involved: You need to weigh up the pros and cons (=the advantages and disadvantages), and decide which investment is the best one for you. | The committee are still weighing the alternatives.
   ▪ give something some/a lot of thought to think carefully about something, before you make a final decision about it: Why don’t you give it some thought and then get back to me? | He had obviously given the matter a lot of thought.
   ▪ mull something over to think about a problem, plan etc before making a decision: Can you give me a bit of time to mull it over?
   ▪ ponder to spend time thinking carefully and seriously about something, especially a problem or something complicated: She is still pondering what to do. | Officials are pondering ways to remove the oil from the beaches.
   ▪ contemplate to think about something you might do in the future: Did you ever contemplate resigning?
   ▪ reflect formal to think carefully about something, especially something that happened in the past: It was a good time to reflect upon the changes that had happened in my life.

con·tem·plate

BrE

/ˈkɒntəmpleɪt/

🔊

NAmE

/ˈkɑːntəmpleɪt/

🔊

verb

present simple - I / you / we / they

contemplate

BrE

/ˈkɒntəmpleɪt/