Etymology
Origin of attentively
First recorded in 1375–1425; Middle English; attentive ( def. ) + -ly ( 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.
Grier, who sold her CPA practice a few years ago to become a financial adviser, found that listening attentively enabled her to forge a connection with jittery taxpayers.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 13, 2026
Yet when it’s Janick’s turn for an audience with the group, each member regards him no less attentively — which makes sense given that he’s a big part of why they’re here.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026
"President Trump was listening attentively and running the entire three-hour marathon cabinet meeting," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to AFP on Wednesday.
From Barron's • Dec. 3, 2025
Seema pretends to listen attentively until neither she nor we can take it anymore.
From Salon • Jun. 7, 2025
Laura listened attentively while Yoyo read the speech out loud, and in the end, her eyes were glistening too.
From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez
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.
