Thinking out loud Meaning in English

expression · lemma: think out loud

US

ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/ /ˈaʊt/ /ˈɫaʊd

THINK-ing OWT LOWD

UK

θˈɪŋkɪŋ/ /ˈaʊt/ /lˈaʊd

THINK-ing OWT LOWD

Definition

To say your thoughts as soon as they come to mind, without first deciding if you should share them. This is often done without intending others to react or respond.

Usage & Nuances

Informal expression. Commonly used to clarify you did not mean to address anyone directly. Often said before or after a spontaneous remark: 'I'm just thinking out loud.' Not to be confused with 'speak up', which means 'talk louder'.

• Spanish: pensar en voz alta
• Portuguese (BR): pensar em voz alta
• Portuguese (PT): pensar em voz alta
• Chinese (Simplified): 自言自语
• Chinese (Traditional): 自言自語
• Hindi: ज़ोर से सोचना
• Arabic: التفكير بصوت عالٍ
• Bengali: মনের কথা মুখে বলা - চিন্তাগুলো উচ্চস্বরে বলা
• Russian: думать вслух - размышлять вслух
• Japanese: 独り言を言う - 考えを口に出す
• Vietnamese: nghĩ thành lời - nói ra suy nghĩ
• Korean: 생각을 소리 내어 말하다 - 혼잣말하다
• Turkish: yüksek sesle düşünmek
• Urdu: اونچی آواز میں سوچنا - اپنے خیالات زبان پر لانا
• Indonesian: nghĩ thành lời - nói suy nghĩ ra

Example Sentences

Sorry, I was just thinking out loud.

basic

He was thinking out loud about dinner plans.

basic

Please ignore me, I'm just thinking out loud.

basic

Oh, was I thinking out loud again? Sorry about that.

natural

Sometimes I start thinking out loud and forget people are listening.

natural

Don’t mind me, just thinking out loud here about ways to save money.

natural