Think vs. Know

Think vs. Know — Is There a Difference?
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Difference Between Think and Know

Thinkverb

(transitive) To ponder, to go over in one's head.

Idly, the detective thought what his next move should be.

Knowverb

(transitive) To perceive the truth or factuality of; to be certain of or that.

I know that I’m right and you’re wrong.He knew something terrible was going to happen.

Thinkverb

(intransitive) To communicate to oneself in one's mind, to try to find a solution to a problem.

I thought for three hours about the problem and still couldn’t find the solution.

Knowverb

(transitive) To be aware of; to be cognizant of.

Did you know Michelle and Jack were getting divorced? ― Yes, I knew.She knows where I live.I knew he was upset, but I didn't understand why.

Thinkverb

(intransitive) To conceive of something or someone (usually followed by of; infrequently, by on).

I tend to think of her as rather ugly.

Knowverb

(transitive) To be acquainted or familiar with; to have encountered.

I know your mother, but I’ve never met your father.
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Thinkverb

(transitive) To be of opinion (that); to consider, judge, regard, or look upon (something) as.

At the time I thought his adamant refusal to give in right.I hope you won’t think me stupid if I ask you what that means.I think she is pretty, contrary to most people.

Knowverb

(transitive) To experience.

Their relationship knew ups and downs.

Thinkverb

(transitive) To guess; to reckon.

I think she’ll pass the examination.

Knowverb

(transitive) To be able to distinguish, to discern, particularly by contrast or comparison; to recognize the nature of.

to know a person's face or figureto know right from wrongI wouldn't know one from the other.

Thinkverb

To plan; to be considering; to be of a mind (to do something).

Knowverb

(transitive) To recognize as the same (as someone or something previously encountered) after an absence or change.

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Thinkverb

To presume; to venture.

Knowverb

To understand or have a grasp of through experience or study.

Let me do it. I know how it works.She knows how to swim.His mother tongue is Italian, but he also knows French and English.She knows chemistry better than anybody else.Know your enemy and know yourself.

Thinkverb

To seem, to appear.

Knowverb

To have sexual relations with.

Thinknoun

An act of thinking; consideration (of something).

I'll have a think about that and let you know.

Knowverb

(intransitive) To have knowledge; to have information, be informed.

It is vital that he not know.She knew of our plan.He knows about 19th century politics.

Thinknoun

an instance of deliberate thinking;

I need to give it a good think

Knowverb

(intransitive) To be or become aware or cognizant.

Did you know Michelle and Jack were getting divorced? ― Yes, I knew.

Thinkverb

judge or regard; look upon; judge;

I think he is very smartI believe her to be very smartI think that he is her boyfriendThe racist conceives such people to be inferior

Knowverb

To be acquainted (with another person).

Thinkverb

expect, believe, or suppose;

I imagine she earned a lot of money with her new novelI thought to find her in a bad statehe didn't think to find her in the kitchenI guess she is angry at me for standing her up

Knowverb

(transitive) To be able to play or perform (a song or other piece of music).

Do you know "Blueberry Hill"?

Thinkverb

use or exercise the mind or one's power of reason in order to make inferences, decisions, or arrive at a solution or judgments;

I've been thinking all day and getting nowhere

Knownoun

(rare) Knowledge; the state of knowing.

Thinkverb

recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection;

I can't remember saying any such thingI can't think what her last name wascan you remember her phone number?Do you remember that he once loved you?call up memories

Knowverb

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about;

I know that the President lied to the peopleI want to know who is winning the game!I know it's time

Thinkverb

imagine or visualize;

Just think--you could be rich one day!Think what a scene it must have been!

Knowverb

know how to do or perform something;

She knows how to knitDoes your husband know how to cook?

Thinkverb

focus one's attention on a certain state;

Think bigthink thin

Knowverb

be aware of the truth of something; have a belief or faith in something; regard as true beyond any doubt;

I know that I left the key on the tableGalileo knew that the earth moves around the sun

Thinkverb

have in mind as a purpose;

I mean no harmI only meant to help youShe didn't think to harm meWe thought to return early that night

Knowverb

be familiar or acquainted with a person or an object;

She doesn't know this composerDo you know my sister?We know this movieI know him under a different nameThis flower is known as a Peruvian Lily

Thinkverb

decide by pondering, reasoning, or reflecting;

Can you think what to do next?

Knowverb

have firsthand knowledge of states, situations, emotions, or sensations;

I know the feeling!have you ever known hunger?I have lived a kind of hell when I was a drug addictThe holocaust survivors have lived a nightmareI lived through two divorces

Thinkverb

ponder; reflect on, or reason about;

Think the matter throughThink how hard life in Russia must be these days

Knowverb

accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority;

The Crown Prince was acknowledged as the true heir to the throneWe do not recognize your gods

Thinkverb

dispose the mind in a certain way;

Do you really think so?

Knowverb

have fixed in the mind;

I know LatinThis student knows her irregular verbsDo you know the poem well enough to recite it?

Thinkverb

have or formulate in the mind;

think good thoughts

Knowverb

have sexual intercourse with;

This student sleeps with everyone in her dormAdam knew EveWere you ever intimate with this man?

Thinkverb

be capable of conscious thought;

Man is the only creature that thinks

Knowverb

know the nature or character of;

we all knew her as a big show-off

Thinkverb

bring into a given condition by mental preoccupation;

She thought herself into a state of panic over the final exam

Knowverb

be able to distinguish, recognize as being different;

The child knows right from wrong

Knowverb

perceive as familiar;

I know this voice!