thinker

From Middle English thinkere, equivalent to think +‎ -er. Compare West Frisian tinker (“thinker”), Dutch denker (“thinker”), German Denker (“thinker”), Danish tænker (“thinker”), Swedish tänkare (“thinker”).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈθɪŋ.kə(ɹ)/

• Audio (Southern England)

  (file)

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈθɪŋ.kɚ/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɪŋkə(ɹ)

thinker (plural thinkers)

1. One who spends time thinking, contemplating or meditating.
   • 1972, “Thick As A Brick”, Ian Anderson (lyrics), performed by Jethro Tull:

     The doer and the thinker
     No allowance for the other.

2. An intellectual, such as a philosopher or theologian.
3. (slang) The brain; the mind.
   • 2011, Arthur Kornhaber, Rosie's Miracle: A Novel, page 271:

     "Well, I tried to do like you and grandfather say; don't use my thinker, use imagination."

4. (slang) A poser; a conundrum that requires some thinking.
   • 1997, "How to Fire a Rifle Without Really Trying" (King of the Hill TV series, season 2 episode 1)

     HANK: The NRA is a Washington D.C. based organization. Are you telling me you support Washington D.C.?
     DALE: That's a thinker.

• rethink