thoughtful
Americanadjective
-
showing consideration for others; considerate.
- Synonyms:
- solicitous, attentive
-
characterized by or manifesting careful thought.
a thoughtful essay.
-
occupied with or given to thought; contemplative; meditative; reflective.
in a thoughtful mood.
-
careful, heedful, or mindful.
to be thoughtful of one's safety.
adjective
-
considerate in the treatment of other people
-
showing careful thought
-
pensive; reflective
Synonym Usage
Thoughtful, considerate mean taking thought for the comfort and the good of others. Thoughtful implies providing little attentions, offering services, or in some way looking out for the comfort or welfare of others: It was thoughtful of you to send the flowers. Considerate implies sparing others annoyance or discomfort, and being careful not to hurt their feelings: not considerate of his family.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of thoughtful
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English; thought 1 + -ful
Explanation
You are thoughtful if you consider how your actions and words will affect other people’s feelings. It is thoughtful to cook your friend's favorite dish when you invite him over for dinner. The adjective thoughtful describes someone who pays attention or considers others' feelings when they speak and act. If your friend is heartbroken about a recent break-up, holding off on gushing about your new love is the thoughtful thing to do. Thoughtful can also describe intellectual depth, like a thoughtful essay on a well-known poem that focuses on a line that other scholars have overlooked.
Vocabulary lists containing thoughtful
myPerspectives 6.2
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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.
The British actor, 29, is soft-spoken, thoughtful and quick with a “thank you.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
In her timely and thoughtful book “Hinterlands,” Hannah Lucinda Smith uses the term, somewhat poetically, to mean contested places on the margins of modern states—and critically, former empires—where international attention has traditionally been sparse.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026
Marcus Rashford's World Cup ended with a considered and thoughtful social media post, issued in the aftermath of England's amazing 6-4 third-place play-off victory over France in Miami.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
“Avery was a devoted son, brother, and thoughtful young man. The light he brought into every room touched everyone who knew him,” the GoFundMe page reads.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
He leaned against the tree, a corner of his mouth quirked in a thoughtful smile.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
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.
