HOW TO USE THE DICTIONARY

To look up an entry in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, use the search window above. For best results, after typing in the word, click on the “Search” button instead of using the “enter” key.

Some compound words (like bus rapid transit, dog whistle, or identity theft) don’t appear on the drop-down list when you type them in the search bar. For best results with compound words, place a quotation mark before the compound word in the search window.

guide to the dictionary

thing

(thĭng)

a. An object or entity that is not or cannot be named specifically: What is this thing for?

b. An individual object, especially an inanimate object: There wasn't a thing in sight.

c. A creature: That baby is the sweetest thing!

d. An entity or item: How many things are there on the test?

e. Something referred to by a word, symbol, sign, or idea; a referent.

2. A possession or item in one's control, as:

a. things Articles of clothing: Put on your things and let's go.

b. things Possessions, including clothing; belongings: Pack your things; it's time to go.

c. often things Law That which can be possessed or owned: things personal; things real.

d. things The equipment needed for an activity or a special purpose.

a. An act, deed, or work: promised to do great things.

b. The result of work or activity: is always building things.

c. A means to an end: just the thing to increase sales.

a. A thought, notion, or utterance: What a rotten thing to say!

b. A piece of information: wouldn't tell me a thing about the project.

5. An end or objective: In blackjack, the thing is to get nearest to 21 without going over.

a. A matter of concern: many things on my mind.

b. A turn of events; a circumstance: The accident was a terrible thing.

c. A particular state of affairs; a situation: Let's deal with this thing promptly.

d. things The general state of affairs; conditions: "Beneath the smooth surface of things, something was wrong" (Tom Wicker).

e. Informal The latest fad or fashion: Drag racing was the thing then.

7. Informal A persistent feeling, interest, desire, or aversion: She has a thing for him and keeps talking about him. I have a thing about seafood and never eat it.

8. Slang An activity uniquely suitable and satisfying to one: Let him do his own thing. Mountain climbing is really my thing.

9. Informal Used to refer to something with disapproval or contempt: Where did you get that thing? I wouldn't drive that thing if you paid me.

Idioms:

first thing Informal

Right away; before anything else: Do your assignments first thing in the morning.

see/hear things

To have hallucinations.

[Middle English, from Old English.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

American Heritage Dictionary Products

HOW TO USE THE DICTIONARY

THE USAGE PANEL

AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY APP

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY BLOG

INTERESTED IN DICTIONARIES?

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

American Heritage Dictionary Products