ruminate
/ˈruː.mɪ.neɪt/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To think about something carefully for a long time, especially a problem or decision. It often suggests quiet, repeated thought.
- She ruminated on the job offer all evening.
- He tends to ruminate before making choices.
- Don't ruminate too long; decide soon.
Adinary Nuance
Ruminate is more careful and slower than think. It is also more private and serious than ponder, and more reflective than worry. In writing, it often suggests deep, repeated thought, not a quick decision.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- suy ngẫm
- Spanish
- rumiar
- Chinese
- 反复思考
- Japanese
- 熟考する
- Korean
- 숙고하다
Etymology
Ruminate comes from Latin ruminatus, from ruminare, meaning “to chew cud.” It entered English in the 16th century, and the mental meaning comes from repeated chewing.
Common phrases
ruminate over a decisionruminate on the pastruminate about problems
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is ruminate formal or informal?
- It is fairly formal and common in writing. It sounds natural in academic or thoughtful contexts.
- What is the difference between ruminate and ponder?
- Ruminate suggests longer, more repeated thinking. Ponder is simpler and can sound a little lighter.
- Can ruminate mean to worry?
- Yes, sometimes. It can suggest stuck or anxious thinking, especially about problems or the past.
- Is ruminate used in everyday speech?
- Yes, but less often than think or worry. It is more common in essays, articles, and formal speech.