attentive

[ uh-ten-tiv ]

/ əˈtɛn tɪv /

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See synonyms for: attentive / attentively / attentiveness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

characterized by or giving attention; observant: an attentive audience.

thoughtful of others; considerate; polite; courteous: an attentive host.

OTHER WORDS FOR attentive

1 heedful, mindful, aware, alert, awake, watchful.

See synonyms for attentive on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR attentive

1 indifferent, apathetic, unconcerned.

See antonyms for attentive on Thesaurus.com

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of attentive

1375–1425; late Middle English (Scots ) <Middle French; see attent, -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM attentive

at·ten·tive·ly, adverbat·ten·tive·ness, nouno·ver·at·ten·tive, adjectiveo·ver·at·ten·tive·ly, adverb

o·ver·at·ten·tive·ness, nounun·at·ten·tive, adjectiveun·at·ten·tive·ly, adverbun·at·ten·tive·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use attentive in a sentence

Bennett had challenged his players since the loss Friday to San Francisco to be far more attentive defensively.
Virginia follows upset with steadier showing, earns easy win in home opener|Gene Wang|December 2, 2020|Washington Post
You could believe that you’re an extremely attentive and responsible driver, like I did, but still succumb to distraction.
I Hit a Cyclist with My Car|Brooke Warren|October 28, 2020|Outside Online
It is known for its spacious patio, attentive staff, and friendly crowds.
Cleveland – The Rock and Roll Capital of the World|LGBTQ-Editor|August 21, 2020|No Straight News
Since women were by and large given the role of nurturing mother, it was convenient to believe that they were by nature careful, attentive, and focused on the wellbeing of children.
Gender Is What You Make of It - Issue 88: Love & Sex|Charles King|August 5, 2020|Nautilus

It takes an attentive community with time on its hands to follow the money and ensure it’s spent in the right places.
If Your Local Park Sucks, This Is Probably Why|MacKenzie Elmer|July 6, 2020|Voice of San Diego
So I think that that kind of concentration, and focus, and attentiveness, is hard to come by.
Philip Roth Unbound: Interview Transcript|The Daily Beast Video|October 30, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Attentiveness and Dignity While we enjoy our friend's sense of humor, we'd suggest a different memo to HR.
Layoffs: HR's Moment of Truth|Jack And Suzy Welch|March 11, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Nothing is so prone to defeat its own end as the fixed, overstrained attentiveness of intense expectation.
The Luck of Gerard Ridgeley|Bertram Mitford
The attentiveness of the footman and even of the butler did not seem to her to be entirely confined to their wants.
Balloons|Elizabeth Bibesco
Certainly, privacy should be respected, and we should not force ourselves upon others, but attentiveness is not intrusiveness.
Herein is Love|Reuel L. Howe
But, through all his attentiveness to Savina, his crowding thoughts, he listened for the return of the car with the doctor.
Cytherea|Joseph Hergesheimer
The kindness and attentiveness of this man are simply wonderful.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky

British Dictionary definitions for attentive

attentive

/ (əˈtɛntɪv) /

adjective

paying attention; listening carefully; observant

(postpositive often foll by to) careful to fulfil the needs or wants (of); considerate (about)she was always attentive to his needs

Derived forms of attentive

attentively, adverbattentiveness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

attentive

OTHER WORDS FOR attentive

OPPOSITES FOR attentive

Origin of attentive

OTHER WORDS FROM attentive

Words related to attentive

How to use attentive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for attentive

Derived forms of attentive