thoughtful
Americanadjective
-
showing consideration for others; considerate.
- Synonyms:
- solicitous, attentive
-
characterized by or manifesting careful thought.
a thoughtful essay.
-
occupied with or given to thought; contemplative; meditative; reflective.
in a thoughtful mood.
-
careful, heedful, or mindful.
to be thoughtful of one's safety.
adjective
-
considerate in the treatment of other people
-
showing careful thought
-
pensive; reflective
Related Words
Thoughtful, considerate mean taking thought for the comfort and the good of others. Thoughtful implies providing little attentions, offering services, or in some way looking out for the comfort or welfare of others: It was thoughtful of you to send the flowers. Considerate implies sparing others annoyance or discomfort, and being careful not to hurt their feelings: not considerate of his family.
Other Word Forms
- overthoughtful adjective
- overthoughtfully adverb
- thoughtfully adverb
- thoughtfulness noun
- unthoughtful adjective
- unthoughtfully adverb
Etymology
Origin of thoughtful
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English; thought 1 + -ful
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.
It’s hard to process that objectively when you are on the receiving end, and it can often obscure the many thoughtful, kind, considerate and helpful comments.
From MarketWatch
“For introverts, that might come through as really thoughtful questions and deeply considered ideas.”
As the nation prepares to mark the Declaration’s semiquincentennial, this thoughtful book offers timely insights into the ideas that made America great.
"But it's taught me to enter into discussions being more intentional and thoughtful, and also backing myself up."
From BBC
“I like to talk to people about the idea of doing the plans now, when they are not in an emergency, so they can be thoughtful about how they approach it,” said Swystun.
From MarketWatch
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.
