thing
noun (IDEA/EVENT) /θɪŋ/Definition
A2 [C] used to refer in an approximate way to an idea, subject, event, action, etc.: That was an unkind thing to say. I've got so many things to do I don't know where to start. Your information is correct but you left out one thing. "What's the matter?" "It's this insurance thing. I'm really worried about it."Objects - general words the thing [C] › the exact fact, object, idea, event, etc.: Your letter has told me precisely the thing I needed to know.Information and messages the real thing › something that is not false or a copy: The fire alarm goes off accidentally so often that when it's the real thing (= when it really does happen) nobody will take any notice.Reality and truth the same thing B1 the same: Training isn't the same thing as education.Similar and the sameDescribing people with the same qualities the whole thing B2 everything that has been planned or discussed: Let's call the whole thing off. I want to forget the whole thing.Something, anything, nothing, and everything above all things › more than everything else: I value my freedom above all things.Large in number or quantity in all things › in every situation or subject; in everything: Be true to yourself in all things.Expressions used to describe situations if there's one thing I want to know, find out, etc. › said before describing what it is that you especially want to know: If there's one thing I want to know, it's where he goes on Thursday afternoons.
(Definition of thing noun (IDEA/EVENT) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus
© Cambridge University Press)
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Synonyms and related words:
- a bird in the hand (is worth two in the bush) idiom
- all things being equal idiom
- be in sb's shoes idiom
- be in the same boat idiom
- by the skin of your teeth idiom
- c'est la vie exclamation
- if it's not one thing, it's another idiom
- it's a funny old world idiom
- it's a small world idiom
- it's just one of those things idiom
- join the club! idiom
- that's life! idiom 1
- that's the way the cookie crumbles idiom
- the boot/shoe is on the other foot idiom
- the grass is always greener on the other side (of the fence) idiom
- wake up and smell the coffee idiom
- what's done is done idiom
- what's on idiom
- you can't win 'em all idiom
- zero-sum adjective
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