the thing
The specific object
The thing refers to whatever is currently popular, fashionable, or culturally dominant: Pickleball is the thing right now.
It can also mean the essential or correct approach: Meditation is the thing for stress.
With emphasis, it identifies something as the definitive or most important instance: This isn't just any pizza—it's the thing.
Single unit or article
- stuffUnspecified items collectively
- objectTangible entity or aim
- artifactHuman-made historical object
- possessionState of owning
belonging · gadget · widget · device · contraption · gizmo · thingamajig · whatchamacallit
Frightening imaginary creature
- beastLarge wild animal
- entityIndependent existing thing
- beingExisting as something
- creatureLiving, sentient entity
presence · horror · specter · apparition · grotesque · abomination · alien · organism
Expression of apathy
- whatsitPlaceholder for forgotten names
- thingyPlaceholder for forgotten nouns
- itNeuter third-person pronoun
- thatThe other one
unspecified · unnamed · indefinite · placeholder · catchall · generic · nondescript · unclear
Something that takes place
- eventA notable occurrence
- manifestationOutward display of something
- anomalyDeparture from the expected
- happeningEvent in progress
sensation · spectacle · marvel · wonder · curiosity · novelty · development · situation
Most important point
- pointExact location or meaning
- heartCirculatory system's pump
- coreCentral essential portion
- gistCentral meaning distilled
matter · issue · factor · element · aspect · detail · key · nub
Persistent mental attachment
- passionIntense emotional drive
- crazeShort-lived popular obsession
- fadShort-lived enthusiasm
- trendDirection of change
mania · preoccupation · fascination · infatuation · enthusiasm · specialty · forte · interest
item
Single unit or article
possession · belonging · gadget · widget · device · contraption · gizmo · thingamajig · whatchamacallit · doohickey
monster
Frightening imaginary creature
creature · presence · horror · specter · apparition · grotesque · abomination · alien · organism · lifeform
whatever
Expression of apathy
- whatsitPlaceholder for forgotten names
- thingyPlaceholder for forgotten nouns
- itNeuter third-person pronoun
that · unspecified · unnamed · indefinite · placeholder · catchall · generic · nondescript · unclear · ambiguous
occurrence
Something that takes place
- eventA notable occurrence
- manifestationOutward display of something
- anomalyDeparture from the expected
happening · sensation · spectacle · marvel · wonder · curiosity · novelty · development · situation · circumstance
crux
Most important point
gist · matter · issue · factor · element · aspect · detail · key · nub · substance
fixation
Persistent mental attachment
trend · mania · preoccupation · fascination · infatuation · enthusiasm · specialty · forte · interest · hobby
the thingpassé
No longer fashionable
out of style · old hat · yesterday's news · out of fashion · old news
the thingnothing
Not any thing
anything · something else · not it · whatever · beside the point
thing, the, nothing, things, anything, everything, something, nothingness