attentive

[uh-ten-tiv]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR attentive ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

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

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

Origin of attentive

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

Related formsat·ten·tive·ly, adverbat·ten·tive·ness, nouno·ver·at·ten·tive, adjectiveo·ver·at·ten·tive·ly, adverbo·ver·at·ten·tive·ness, nounun·at·ten·tive, adjectiveun·at·ten·tive·ly, adverbun·at·ten·tive·ness, noun

Synonyms for attentive

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR attentive ON THESAURUS.COM

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

Antonyms for attentive

1. indifferent, apathetic, unconcerned.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for attentiveness

diligence, consideration, vigilance, concentration, watchfulness, alertness, regard, solicitude, respect, thoughtfulness, concern, TLC, solicitousness, politeness

Examples from the Web for attentiveness

Contemporary Examples of attentiveness

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
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

Historical Examples of attentiveness

He answered, looking down into her eyes, which were full of attentiveness.
At Fault
Kate Chopin.
He was assured then of their attentiveness and protected from their interruption.
The Bishop's Apron
W. Somerset Maugham
The kindness and attentiveness of this man are simply wonderful.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky
Modeste Tchaikovsky
All this cordial kindness and attentiveness were putting him at his ease.
The Woman of Mystery
Maurice Leblanc
He understood her attentiveness to his comfort when she touched his arm and begged a word with him.
Red-Robin
Jane Abbott

British Dictionary definitions for attentiveness

attentive

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 Formsattentively, 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

Word Origin and History for attentiveness

mid-15c., from attentive + -ness.

attentive

adj.

late 14c. (implied in attentively), from Old French attentif, from Vulgar Latin *attenditus, from Latin attentus "heedful, observant" (see attend). Sense of "actively ministering to the needs and wants" (of another person) is from early 16c. Related: Attentively.