What is that thing on the floor? He is good at making things out of clay. My doctor told me to avoid fatty things like donuts and potato chips. We must respect all living things. Birth is a miraculous thing. It was the worst thing that could have happened. That sunset was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Let's just forget about the whole thing and move on. The one thing I hate most is being lied to. Are all your things packed? See More
Recent Examples on the WebFor one thing, Ghezo was not a reluctant participant in the slave trade. Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2022 Different celebrities favor different footwear: Jennifer Garner and Reese Witherspoon are Veja sneaker devotees, Kendall Jenner often opts for The Row loafers, and Katie Holmes has a thing for designer ballet flats. Claire Harmeyer, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 2022 For one thing, the Mustang's screens are bigger: its digital gauge cluster measures 12.4 inches, and its central infotainment screen is a huge 13.2 inches. Joey Capparella, Car and Driver, 15 Sep. 2022 For one thing, the queen and the prince apparently had more than a few sips. George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2022 There is, for one thing, the period film footage of tens of thousands crowding Madison Square Garden for anti-Nazi rallies. Dorothy Rabinowitz, WSJ, 14 Sep. 2022 But the awards and speeches themselves — the ostensible reason for the whole thing, even if the folks producing the show every year seem embarrassed by it — were surprising and fantastic. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2022 For one thing, history has shown us that giving science a large slug of cash in a very short amount of time has horrible—some might say disastrous—consequences. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 12 Sep. 2022 For one thing, we’re still fascinated by them, Roberts says. Katherine Singh, refinery29.com, 12 Sep. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Old English, thing, assembly; akin to Old High German ding thing, assembly, Goth theihs time
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a
Time Traveler
The first known use of thing was before the 12th century