Published 2026-09-04

bethink

Bethink looks like a playful modern invention, but it is an Old English survivor. Its ancestors meant to consider, remember, or reflect. Best detail: its past tense is bethought. Bethink yourself: what idea deserves a second look today? #words #vocabulary

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   KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS WORD: bethink. Say it: bih-THINK
   Meaning: To consider, remember, or reflect.

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   THE STORY: Where it started. Middle English bithinken and Old English bethencan meant to consider, remember, reflect, or take thought for something.

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   NEXT: What changed. Its past tense is bethought. The word survives as a compact way to suggest deliberate thought, even though plain think now does most of its old work.

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   NOW: Where it ended up. Bethink looks like a playful modern invention, but it is an Old English survivor. Its ancestors meant to consider, remember, or reflect. Best detail: its past tense is bethought.

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   YOUR TURN: What about you?. Bethink yourself: what idea deserves a second look today?