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
"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
“She’s funny, insightful, knows how to turn a phrase and she’s gone on a political journey,” Zucker said in a recent interview.
From Los Angeles Times • May 10, 2026
While there’s less floor space dedicated to the permanent collection, a new installation of intimately scaled works offers a more insightful overview of its holdings than the earlier display.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 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.
