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
- attentively adverb
- attentiveness noun
- overattentive adjective
- overattentively adverb
- unattentive adjective
- unattentively adverb
Etymology
Origin of attentive
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Middle French; attent ( def. ), -ive ( def. )
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.
Policymakers will need to be attentive to accelerating wage demands should the jobless rate remain low, which would support the ECB raising rates regardless of the underlying damage to the economy, he said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026
It has not been a major issue, but when I consider the effects of inflation on our retirement savings, I have become more attentive to such matters.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 18, 2026
"As for us, his parents, we are waiting. Our contacts at the crisis centre are very attentive and inspire confidence. We are tired but optimistic," he added.
From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026
Regulators had given Tesla 90 days from December to adjust its advertising and stop leading consumers to believe that Autopilot and Full Self-Driving could be used safely without an attentive human.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026
Not everyone was attentive; one juror, as though poisoned by the numerous spring-fever yawns weighting the air, sat with drugged eyes and jaws so utterly ajar bees could have buzzed in and out.
From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote
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.
