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
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.
Jane, whose timidity is evident in the way she only reluctantly takes off her winter coat, behaves as though she’s been abducted by an overly solicitous kidnapper.
From Los Angeles Times
Suzanne has an iron will that she thinly veils with a solicitous smile.
From Los Angeles Times
They emphasise that Palace staff thought the Trumps were warm and solicitous guests in 2019, both keen not to put a foot wrong.
From BBC
He was unfailingly polite, even solicitous, enquiring about my family, and the journey to Syria.
From BBC
“He was very solicitous and understanding. I was glad I brought it up.”
From Los Angeles Times
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.
