solicitous
Americanadjective
-
anxious or concerned (usually followed by about, for, etc., or a clause).
solicitous about a person's health.
- Antonyms:
- careless, unconcerned
-
anxiously desirous.
solicitous of the esteem of others.
-
eager (usually followed by an infinitive).
He was always solicitous to please.
-
careful or particular.
a solicitous housekeeper.
adjective
-
showing consideration, concern, attention, etc
-
keenly anxious or willing; eager
Other Word Forms
- nonsolicitous adjective
- nonsolicitously adverb
- nonsolicitousness noun
- solicitously adverb
- solicitousness noun
- unsolicitous adjective
- unsolicitously adverb
- unsolicitousness noun
Etymology
Origin of solicitous
First recorded in 1555–65, solicitous is from the Latin word sollicitus anxious. See solicit, -ous
Explanation
When you hear the word solicitous, think of your mom — attentive, caring, and concerned. It's nice when your waiter gives you good service, but if he or she is solicitous, the hovering might annoy you. Solicitous comes from the Latin roots sollus "entire" and citus "set in motion." If someone is solicitous, they are entirely set in motion caring for you. Your neighbors are solicitous if they try to help your family out all the time. Use this word too if you're eager to do something. A good student will be solicitous to appear interested in what the teacher says — even when it's not that interesting.
Vocabulary lists containing solicitous
300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
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"The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell
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Grade 12, List 6
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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.
Suzanne has an iron will that she thinly veils with a solicitous smile.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 17, 2025
He was unfailingly polite, even solicitous, enquiring about my family, and the journey to Syria.
From BBC • Dec. 12, 2024
A courtship progressed, the male solicitous and preening.
From Scientific American • Sep. 22, 2023
She was warm and solicitous, a petite figure in a pale blue Icelandic sweater and bluejeans.
From New York Times • Feb. 5, 2023
Maybe he need only sneeze again, and she will rise, solicitous; even now, he can imagine her doing that.
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.
