ponder
/ˈpɒn.dər/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To think carefully about something for a while, especially before making a decision or giving an answer. It often suggests slow, quiet thinking.
- She pondered his question for a minute.
- I need to ponder my next step.
- He pondered the offer overnight.
Adinary Nuance
Ponder is slower and more thoughtful than think. It suggests careful reflection, not a quick idea. Compared with consider, ponder feels a little more personal and quiet; compared with reflect, it is simpler and more everyday. Writers often use it when someone is thinking deeply before acting.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- suy ngẫm
- Spanish
- meditar
- Chinese
- 思考
- Japanese
- 熟考する
- Korean
- 숙고하다
Etymology
Ponder comes from Latin ponderare, meaning “to weigh.” It entered English through Old French in the Middle Ages. The original idea was to weigh thoughts carefully.
Common phrases
ponder a questionponder the issueponder for a momentponder your options
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is ponder formal or informal?
- It is neutral to slightly formal. It works well in speech and writing.
- What is the difference between ponder and think?
- Think is general. Ponder means think more carefully and for longer.
- Can I use ponder in academic writing?
- Yes. It is common in essays and formal discussion.
- Is ponder used with an object?
- Yes. You can ponder a question, a problem, or an idea.