What does contemplating mean?
Contemplating is the present participle of the verb 'contemplate', meaning to think about something thoroughly and with sustained attention. It has two principal uses: deep, reflective thought about an idea, object, or question, and the consideration of a possible course of action, often one that is serious or consequential — one might be contemplating retirement, contemplating a move abroad, or contemplating a difficult decision. The word carries a connotation of deliberateness and gravity; it suggests more than casual thought, implying a measured, sometimes prolonged mental engagement. It appears frequently in both formal and everyday contexts, from philosophical writing to ordinary conversation about life choices. Derived from the Latin 'contemplari', which originally referred to careful observation within a consecrated space (a templum), the word retains a sense of focused, almost reverent attention. Because contemplation unfolds over time, the word most often appears in progressive forms such as 'she is contemplating'.
verbThe present participle of the verb 'contemplate': to think about something deeply and at length, or to consider the possibility of doing something.
- To think about something deeply and attentively over a period of time.
- To consider the possibility of doing something (often something significant or drastic).
"She sat by the window, contemplating whether to accept the job offer."
"He spent the evening contemplating his future after the company announced the merger."
"The committee is contemplating changes to the admission policy."
The word 'contemplate' literally traces back to a Roman practice: the 'templum' was a sacred space marked out in the sky or on the ground for observation — so to contemplate originally meant to mark out a space and study it carefully.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of contemplating
'Contemplating' derives from the Latin verb 'contemplari', meaning to observe attentively or consider, formed from the intensive prefix 'com-' plus 'templum', the term for a sacred space marked out for augury and observation. The word passed into English via Latin and possibly French influence around the late medieval or early modern period, with the related noun 'contemplation' attested earlier through religious usage describing meditative devotion. Cognates appear across Romance languages, including French 'contempler' and Italian 'contemplare'. The original association with sacred observation survives faintly in English words like 'temple' and 'contemplative', which preserve the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How contemplating is actually used
'Contemplating' carries a connotation of seriousness and depth of thought. In the phrase 'contemplating suicide' or similar constructions it takes on grave clinical significance, so context matters greatly. It often appears in progressive tenses ('is contemplating', 'was contemplating') because the act of contemplation is inherently ongoing.
Easily confused with contemplating
'Contemptuous' means showing contempt or disdain, whereas 'contemplating' means thinking deeply about something; they share a superficial resemblance in spelling but are unrelated in meaning.