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
Related Words
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
- overthoughtful adjective
- overthoughtfully adverb
- thoughtfully adverb
- thoughtfulness noun
- unthoughtful adjective
- unthoughtfully adverb
Etymology
Origin of thoughtful
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English; thought 1 + -ful
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.
He was “a thoughtful and compassionate conservative leader. Clearly his father’s son, he nonetheless forged his own distinct and influential voice within the conservative movement,” said former California Republican Party Chairman Ron Nehring.
From Los Angeles Times
Touted as a possible supporting actress Oscar nominee, Lilleaas in person is reserved but thoughtful, someone who prefers observing the people around her rather than being in the spotlight.
From Los Angeles Times
Jesse Plemons, in his thoughtful baritone, admits, “In hindsight, I think she kept me off-balance for the majority of the shoot in a way that I don’t think I could comprehend in the moment.”
From Los Angeles Times
Installed in thematic groupings, with a spectacular finale, the thoughtful selection allows us to follow the sometimes dramatic shifts in her evolution.
The goal of the game is to help the player executives think through how to manage their company’s cash, time and other resources—and pivoting when the most thoughtful plans are torpedoed.
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.
