thinker
English
Etymology
From Middle English thinkere, equivalent to think + -er. Compare West Frisian tinker (“thinker”), Dutch denker (“thinker”), German Denker (“thinker”), Danish tænker (“thinker”), Swedish tänkare (“thinker”).
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈθɪŋ.kə(ɹ)/
- (US) IPA(key): /ˈθɪŋ.kɚ/
- Rhymes: -ɪŋkə(ɹ)
Noun
thinker (plural thinkers)
- One who spends time thinking, contemplating or meditating.
- 1972, Ian Anderson (lyrics), “Thick As A Brick”, performed by Jethro Tull:
- The doer and the thinker
No allowance for the other.
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- An intellectual, such as a philosopher or theologian.
- (slang) The brain; the mind.
- 2011, Arthur Kornhaber, Rosie's Miracle: A Novel, page 271:
- "Well, I tried to do like you and grandfather say; don't use my thinker, use imagination."
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- (slang) A poser; a conundrum that requires some thinking.
- 1997, "How to Fire a Rifle Without Really Trying" (King of the Hill TV series, season 2 episode 1)
- HANK: The NRA is a Washington D.C. based organization. Are you telling me you support Washington D.C.?
DALE: That's a thinker.
- HANK: The NRA is a Washington D.C. based organization. Are you telling me you support Washington D.C.?
- 1997, "How to Fire a Rifle Without Really Trying" (King of the Hill TV series, season 2 episode 1)
Usage notes
- Adjectives often applied to "thinker": creative, deep, critical, great, strategic, original, political, clear, social, brilliant, logical, liberal, conservative, influential, lateral, radical, religious, profound, abstract.
Derived terms
- deep thinker
Translations
one who spends time thinking
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intellectual
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Anagrams
- rethink