Contemplate

//ˈkɑn.təmˌpleɪt// verb

verb ·Common ·High school level

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    To look at on all sides or in all its aspects; to view or consider with continued attention; to regard with deliberate care; to meditate on; to study, ponder, or consider.

    "To love, at least contemplate and admire, / What I see excellent."

  2. 2
    reflect deeply on a subject wordnet
  3. 3
    To consider as a possibility.

    "I contemplated doing the project myself, but it would have taken too long."

  4. 4
    consider as a possibility wordnet
  5. 5
    think intently and at length, as for spiritual purposes wordnet
Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
chew overstudylookagitateaimanticipate

Example

More examples

"When I contemplate the sea, I feel calm."

Etymology

First attested in the 1590s; borrowed from Latin contemplātus, the perfect active participle of contemplor (“to observe, survey, gaze (at), contemplate”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix). See also template.

Related phrases

contemplate one's navel

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.