Meaning & use
methinks
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Meaning
verbintransitivearchaichumorousliterary
It seems to me; I think (used for a mock-archaic or literary effect).
Grammar: Fixed form: never changes for tense or person; it introduces a clause, as in 'methinks he doth protest too much'.
Patterns
- methinks + clause
Methinks the lady doth protest too much.
Methinks it is time we left this party.
Methinks thou art a saucy knave.
Common combinations
- methinks not
- Methinks not, good sir.
- methinks thou dost
- Methinks thou dost protest too much.
- methinks it is
- Methinks it is a trap.
Synonyms and how they differ
- I think
- The modern, neutral way to express the same idea; use it in ordinary speech and writing.
- it seems to me
- A slightly more formal modern alternative that keeps the tentative tone of methinks.
Commonly confused: methinks or me thinks?
methinks vs me thinks
Some learners write 'me thinks' as two words, but the standard spelling is the single word 'methinks'.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'methinks' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Methinks is a fixed form meaning 'it seems to me' and introduces a clause: 'Methinks the weather will improve.' It does not change for subject or tense, so the other options are wrong.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “methinks”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.