insightful
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of insightful
Explanation
What English teachers want from students writing papers is insightful analysis –– thinking that sees beyond the obvious and expresses an original thought. With this word, remember in- and -sight-. When you have the ability to look (sight) inside (in) something––a painting, a discussion, a situation––and find what others aren't seeing, you are being insightful. An insightful person is someone capable of deep, insightful thinking.
Vocabulary lists containing insightful
Positive Words to Describe People, List 1
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Words to Describe a Novel or a Story
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Cover Letter Language
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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.
"Given how he played, it was no surprise that Fergus' contributions were always insightful and bang on the money," said Neilly, who commentated on Slattery's first game as Ireland captain against France in January 1979.
From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026
Mr. Smith is an insightful filmmaker and “Bring Me the Beauties” is a stylishly constructed parable about naivete and spiritual emptiness.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026
You would suddenly be a young lad who wanted to be a professional footballer, what can I see behind the scenes - anything insightful to make me think what they do behind the scenes?
From BBC • May 24, 2026
“We are flagging commercial bookings may not be an insightful leading indicator going forward as AI agents/usage is being sold on a seat plus consumption-based pricing model,” said Benchmark analyst Yi Fu Lee.
From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026
In an insightful piece written for Harper’s magazine in June 1960, Lomax predicted that “this revolt, swelling under ground for the past two decades, means the end of the traditional Negro leadership class.”
From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson
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.
