insightful
Americanadjective
Other Word 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.
The titular character in “Valentina,” Brazilian American filmmaker Tatti Ribeiro’s debut feature, is a vivacious young woman capable of striking up humorous and insightful conversations with people from every walk of life.
From Los Angeles Times • 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 his insightful book, “A Place Both Wonderful and Strange,” Scott Meslow narrates the show’s unlikely journey from midseason network replacement to a television landmark that still produces imitators.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026
“An insightful question. The answer: he rakes it in.”
From "Typical American" by Gish Jen
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.
