What does contemplated mean?
"Contemplated" is the past tense of "contemplate," a verb meaning to think about something carefully, thoroughly, and usually at length. When someone has contemplated a decision, an idea, or a course of action, they have turned it over in their mind rather than reacting quickly. The word can describe both deep reflection on abstract matters — one might contemplate the meaning of a poem or the vastness of the sea — and practical deliberation, such as having contemplated changing careers or relocating. It frequently pairs with gerunds, as in "she contemplated retiring early." Because it implies patience and seriousness, "contemplated" carries a thoughtful, measured connotation and appears most often in formal or neutral prose, from journalism to literature. The verb derives from the Latin contemplari, rooted in the religious practice of observing omens within a marked-off space, which gives the word a quiet, almost meditative pedigree that still colours how we use it today.
verbContemplated is the past tense of contemplate: to think about something carefully and at length, or to consider the possibility of doing something.
- To have thought about something carefully and thoroughly over time (mental consideration).
- To have considered the possibility of doing something, often without committing to it.
"She contemplated leaving her job for months before finally handing in her notice."
"He sat by the window and contemplated his next move."
"The board contemplated merging with its rival but ultimately declined."
Before you act on a big decision, you've probably contemplated it — a habit humans borrowed from ancient Roman priests, who 'read the sky' within a sacred space called a templum.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of contemplated
"Contemplated" comes from the Latin contemplari, meaning "to observe attentively," itself tied to contemplum or templum — a space marked out by Roman augurs for reading signs from the heavens. The word entered English via Old French in the late Middle Ages, initially carrying strongly religious overtones of spiritual meditation. Over centuries it broadened from sacred observation to any careful, sustained mental attention, so that today one may equally contemplate a painting, a problem, or a life decision.
Related word forms
How contemplated is actually used
As a past-tense form, 'contemplated' carries a reflective, deliberate tone and appears mostly in formal or neutral writing. It often takes a gerund object ('contemplated moving abroad') as well as abstract nouns ('contemplated the consequences').
Easily confused with contemplated
'Contemptuous' means showing scorn or disdain, while 'contemplated' means thought about deeply — they share only a superficial resemblance in spelling.