considerate
Americanadjective
-
showing kindly awareness or regard for another's feelings, circumstances, etc..
a very considerate critic.
-
carefully considered; deliberate.
-
marked by consideration or reflection; deliberate; prudent.
adjective
-
thoughtful towards other people; kind
-
rare carefully thought out; considered
Synonym Usage
See thoughtful.
Other Word Forms
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; see 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!
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
'Tis The Season: Words For Giving
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
“Etiquette is all about being considerate of your surroundings and the people around you,” she says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026
If they’re as considerate as you are being, I’m sure they will.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 21, 2026
Then two neighbors began, ironically, shouting outside my window about which of them was less considerate about the amount of noise they made.
From Salon ● Aug. 20, 2026
“If that bothers you, don’t hesitate to mute or block me. I don’t have the capacity or patience to debate with internet strangers as to why they should be considerate of marginalized communities.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
Not only was he a kind and considerate boyfriend to Hazel, but whenever Piper saw him wearing Jason’s old praetor’s badge she felt grateful to him for stepping up and accepting that job.
From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan
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.
