cogitate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Very low frequencyFormal, literary, sometimes humorous
Quick answer
What does “cogitate” mean?
To think deeply and carefully.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To think deeply and carefully; to ponder or meditate.
To engage in concentrated, serious thought or reflection, often on a specific problem or idea, with the implication of a sustained mental effort.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition or core usage. Slightly more common in British academic or literary contexts, but rare in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, can carry a slightly pompous, old-fashioned, or deliberately humorous tone when used in everyday contexts.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects. It is a marked word, chosen for stylistic effect rather than being a default term for thinking.
Grammar
How to Use “cogitate” in a Sentence
cogitate on/upon sthcogitate about sthcogitate (intransitive)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cogitate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He repaired to the library to cogitate upon the manuscript.
- The committee will need a fortnight to cogitate before reaching a decision.
American English
- She spent the afternoon cogitating on her career move.
- I'll cogitate on your proposal and get back to you.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form. 'Cogitatingly' is non-standard.]
American English
- [No standard adverb form. 'Cogitatingly' is non-standard.]
adjective
British English
- [No standard adjective form. 'Cogitative' is obsolete/rare.]
American English
- [No standard adjective form. 'Cogitative' is obsolete/rare.]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. 'Deliberate', 'consider', or 'analyse' are preferred.
Academic
Occasionally used in philosophy, psychology, or literary studies to describe a specific type of deep thinking.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used for humorous or self-deprecating effect ('I need to go and cogitate on that').
Technical
Rare. Possibly in cognitive science as a formal term for conscious, deliberative thought processes.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cogitate”
- Using it transitively without a preposition (e.g., 'I cogitated the problem' is less common than 'I cogitated on the problem').
- Using it in informal contexts where it sounds unnatural and pretentious.
- Confusing it with 'cogent' (convincing) or 'cognition' (the process of knowing).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency, formal word. It is used for stylistic effect, often to sound deliberately old-fashioned, scholarly, or humorous.
It is primarily used intransitively or with the prepositions 'on', 'upon', or 'about' (e.g., 'cogitate on a problem'). A transitive use (e.g., 'cogitate a thought') is archaic and very rare in modern English.
The related noun is 'cogitation'. It is equally formal and means 'the action of thinking deeply'.
Yes. 'Think' is a general, neutral term. 'Cogitate' specifically implies deep, careful, and often prolonged thought. It is a more precise and marked term, carrying a formal or literary tone.
To think deeply and carefully.
Cogitate is usually formal, literary, sometimes humorous in register.
Cogitate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒdʒ.ɪ.teɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑː.dʒɪ.teɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms with 'cogitate']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a COG (gear) in your brain ITATing (iterating/spinning) as you think deeply. To COGITATE is to turn the cogs of your mind.
Conceptual Metaphor
THINKING IS MACHINE WORK ('grinding out thoughts', 'mental gears turning').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'cogitate' MOST appropriate?