meditative
Americanadjective
Synonym Usage
See pensive.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of meditative
From the Late Latin word meditātīvus, dating back to 1605–15. See meditate, -ive
Explanation
The adjective meditative is good for describing something that's reflective or deeply thoughtful. Your favorite movies might be quiet, slow-paced, and meditative. When you reflect on your life or an important decision, you are meditative, and anything that involves this state of mind can be described the same way. A yoga studio often has a meditative feeling about it, and good, thoughtful advice is usually offered in a meditative way. The root of meditative is the Latin word meditat, or "contemplated," which in turn comes from a Proto-Indo-European root that means "to measure, consider, or advise."
Vocabulary lists containing meditative
This Week in Pop Culture: January 19 - 25, 2019
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Our Town
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"Young Goodman Brown" by Nathaniel Hawthorne
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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.
According to Laura Miller, Mandel expertly weaves together an interconnected cast of characters in this “lovely, meditative new novel.”
From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026
Mr. Costanzo also shifted gears brilliantly for Farnace’s 11th-hour change of heart, the exquisitely meditative “Già dagli occhi,” as he decides to join his father against the Romans.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026
They're calming, relaxing, and the vibrations can help put you into a meditative state.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
Sticking with the lyrical looks at nature, “Time and Water” is a gorgeously shot, meditative and mournful reflection on both the climate crisis and one man’s family.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
“What makes my legs go, Dranpa?” asked the young philosopher, surveying those active portions of his frame with a meditative air, while resting after a go-to-bed frolic one night.
From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
