attentive

American  

[uh-ten-tiv] / əˈtɛn tɪv /

adjective

1. characterized by or giving attention; observant.

   an attentive audience.

   Synonyms:

   watchful, awake, alert, aware, mindful, heedful

   Antonyms:

   unconcerned, apathetic, indifferent

2. thoughtful of others; considerate; polite; courteous.

   an attentive host.

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attentive British  

/ əˈtɛntɪv /

adjective

1. paying attention; listening carefully; observant

2. careful to fulfil the needs or wants (of); considerate (about)

   she was always attentive to his needs

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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; 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.

Example Sentences

It also spoke to who Kiara was as a person, family members said: beautiful, warm, thoughtfully attentive to details and focused on the things that matter most.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

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

Juliette's head teacher, Amelia McIlroy, said she was "a genuinely caring and attentive listener, a true friend who listened with warmth, respect and sincere interest to her peers and to our staff".

From BBC • Mar. 17, 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

To be attentive to the location of surveillance cameras, as in our Coxsackie tour, was one of them.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

Related Words

• accommodating
• courteous
• devoted
• gracious
• polite
• respectful
• solicitous
• thoughtful