attentive
Americanadjective
-
characterized by or giving attention; observant.
an attentive audience.
- Antonyms:
- unconcerned, apathetic, indifferent
-
thoughtful of others; considerate; polite; courteous.
an attentive host.
adjective
-
paying attention; listening carefully; observant
-
careful to fulfil the needs or wants (of); considerate (about)
she was always attentive to his needs
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of attentive
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Middle French; see attent ( def. ), -ive ( def. )
Explanation
Use the adjective attentive to describe someone who is alert and paying attention: “Attentive observers of the play used clues given in the first scenes of the play to guess the identity of the murderer.” You probably notice that the word attentive looks a lot like the noun attention. It’s easy to remember how to use attentive when you know that the words share related meanings. Use the adjective attentive to describe someone who is full of attention, watching and listening carefully, such as an attentive student who takes great notes and asks questions when something isn't clear.
Vocabulary lists containing attentive
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"How can I do that while also being there for my kids and attentive to them? I don't have an answer."
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
While the CNB still appears to be attentive to inflation risks, most board members don’t seem to be in a hurry to tighten monetary conditions further, Goldman Sachs economists said in a note.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
Benjamin Myers’s introduction to “The Spire” is the most useful: clear, attentive to structure, properly alert to the novel’s historical and symbolic dimensions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
“Until we understand the full picture, we can’t responsibly predict a timeline or outcome. What we can promise is thorough, attentive care every step of the way.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
She was the perfect audience, attentive and gasping at all the right moments.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
