Consider

Simple meaning

Consider means to think carefully about something — looking at it from different angles before making a decision or forming an opinion.

Detailed meaning

The difference between a good decision and a poor one often comes down to how carefully someone considered it.

To consider is not to overthink — it is to give something the attention it deserves. When you consider something, you are:

• Looking at it from multiple angles.
• Weighing the possible outcomes.
• Taking the time to form a thoughtful view.

Consider is also a polite and professional way to suggest an idea to someone without forcing it. Instead of saying "you should do this," you can say "you might want to consider this" — which keeps the door open and puts the other person in control.

Uses of consider:

• Consider a decision — "Have you considered waiting until next quarter?"
• Consider someone's perspective — "We should consider how this affects the customer."
• Consider someone for a role — "She's being considered for the director position."

Picture this

Imagine a chess player about to make a move. They don't grab the piece immediately. They pause. They look at the board. They think about what their opponent might do next. They see three moves ahead.

That pause — that moment of thinking through the possibilities — is what it means to consider something.

Every good decision has that pause inside it.

Where to use it

Use consider in professional settings when you want to suggest a thoughtful approach, weigh options, or invite someone to think something through before deciding.

Where not to use it

Don't use consider as a vague stalling tactic when a clear answer is needed. "We're considering it" without a timeline can frustrate people who need an actual decision.

5 example sentences

1. Please consider all the options before making a final decision.
2. Have you considered how the new policy might affect remote employees?
3. She was considered for the role but the position was eventually filled internally.
4. The committee considered three proposals before selecting the winning design.
5. I'd like you to consider what it would feel like to be on the receiving end of that message.

Common mistakes

Similar & opposite words

Similar (synonyms)

Opposite (antonyms)

Memory trick

A short story to remember it

The team had a simple question: should they launch before the holidays, or wait until January?

Half the team said launch now — momentum was high. Half said wait — the team was exhausted.

Their director didn't decide immediately. Instead, she said: "Give me a day to consider this properly."

She spent the afternoon thinking through the customer impact, the team's capacity, and the competitive landscape. She looked at last year's data. She asked two customers informally.

The next morning: "We wait. January launch, with a proper push in the first week."

The product launched to the highest first-week numbers they'd ever had.

She could have decided in five minutes. But she took the time to consider it properly — and that time paid off.

Practice quiz

Summary

Consider is the word that separates reactive people from thoughtful ones. It is a signal that you are not rushing — that you are taking the time to look properly before acting. In professional life, that pause is often where the best decisions are born.