considerate
Americanadjective
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showing kindly awareness or regard for another's feelings, circumstances, etc..
a very considerate critic.
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carefully considered; deliberate.
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marked by consideration or reflection; deliberate; prudent.
adjective
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thoughtful towards other people; kind
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rare carefully thought out; considered
Related Words
See thoughtful.
Other Word Forms
- considerately adverb
- considerateness noun
- overconsiderate adjective
- overconsiderately adverb
- overconsiderateness noun
- quasi-considerate adjective
- quasi-considerately adverb
Etymology
Origin of considerate
First recorded in 1375–1425 for earlier sense; 1565–75 for current senses; late Middle English, from Latin consīderātus (past participle of consīderāre “to examine, consider” ), equivalent to consīderā- (stem of consīderāre ) + -tus past participle suffix; consider
Explanation
Being considerate is being polite and caring. People like it when you're considerate of their feelings. We could all probably be more considerate of others: this word means you're thinking of other people — considering them — and then treating them decently and with respect. It's considerate to say "please" and "thank you" to people. It's considerate to excuse yourself, rather than walking out and slamming the door. Asking someone how they feel is usually considerate. A considerate person is kind and thoughtful — a good person to know.
Vocabulary lists containing considerate
Be Nice!
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'Tis The Season: Words For Giving
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"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney
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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.
He said he was happy to drive out of town to sleep but was aware others were less considerate, including reports of people hanging laundry on residential streets and parking across driveways.
From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026
It’s the little, considerate gestures that your host will remember.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 17, 2026
It occurs because people have greater access to their own internal feelings -- such as appearing considerate or avoiding social discomfort -- than to others' psychological experiences.
From Science Daily • Jan. 12, 2026
He was very considerate and curious; the conversation flowed.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2025
"He was very charming, very nice, and very considerate and very easy to work for," she said.
From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau
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.
