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.
Other valuation ratios aren’t particularly insightful since many IPOs come to market before booking any earnings.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 4, 2026
Mr. Rock’s funny and insightful bit came to mind as I read last month’s jobs report, which showed that the share of American men in the labor force has dipped to record lows.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026
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
Maybe keep an eye on whether Sunderland and Villa fall off massively next season if you fancy figuring out once and for all whether 'expected' data is truly insightful or a heap of hogwash.
From BBC • May 26, 2026
He was the Machiavelli of Ohio politics, the classic behind-the-scenes fixer, a shrewd and insightful judge of character or, at least, political opportunity.
From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell
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.
