thing

Meanings

Noun

• That which is considered to exist as a separate entity, object, quality or concept.
• A word, symbol, sign, or other referent that can be used to refer to any entity.
• An individual object or distinct entity.
• A genuine concept, entity or phenomenon; something that actually exists (often contrary to expectation or belief).
• The latest fad or fashion.
• Clothes, possessions or equipment.
• A unit or container, usually containing edible goods.
• A problem, dilemma, or complicating factor.
• A penis.
• A living being or creature.
• That which matters; the crux.
• That which is favoured; personal preference. ()
• A public assembly or judicial council in a Germanic country.
• A romantic relationship.
• A romantic couple.

Verb

• To express as a thing; to reify.

Related

Similar words

• item, stuff (uncountable equivalent), yoke (Ireland)

Origin

• From Middle English thing, from Old English þing, from Proto-Germanic *þingą; compare West Frisian ding, Low German Ding, Dutch ding, German Ding, Swedish, Danish and Norwegian ting. 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"), ting, and Old High German ding with this meaning.