thoughtfulness

American  

[thawt-fuhl-nis] / ˈθɔt fəl nɪs /

noun

1. the characteristic or habit of anticipating and being attentive to the needs and interests of others.

   I was touched by the thoughtfulness of the busy waitress, who rushed to open the heavy door for me when I left.

2. the quality of showing careful, thorough reflection.

   The thoughtfulness of your interview questions really helped all the participants get to know the candidate.

3. a contemplative or meditative state or quality; pensiveness.

   He stood looking down at them in gloomy thoughtfulness.

4. the quality of being careful, heedful, or mindful (usually followed by of).

   Solving problems requires not just knowledge of advanced technology, but thoughtfulness of context and application.

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Other Word Forms

• overthoughtfulness noun
• unthoughtfulness noun

Etymology

Origin of thoughtfulness

thoughtful ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

"I remember thinking on Valentine's Day, 'Oh he's probably a very good boyfriend, 'cause there's a lot of thoughtfulness in this'," she continued.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

That’s what a good ice cube tray is, in the end: a tiny engine of thoughtfulness.

From Salon • Jul. 15, 2025

DecantPlanet threw in three free vials and a signed, handwritten note on the receipt, a touch that further convinces me of the thoughtfulness of scent lovers.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2025

There's danger, as well, in equating subtlety with thoughtfulness.

From Salon • Apr. 28, 2025

It was midafternoon, and the curtains were drawn, but a lamp in the corner had been left on, a towel draped over the shade to mute it, and the thoughtfulness of this pierced her.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng

Related Words

• kindness