thoughtful

[ thawt-fuhl ]

/ ˈθɔt fəl /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: thoughtful / thoughtfully / thoughtfulness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

showing consideration for others; considerate.

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.

SYNONYMS FOR thoughtful

1 attentive, solicitous.

See synonyms for thoughtful on Thesaurus.com

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON “ITS” VS. “IT’S”!

Apostrophes can be tricky; prove you know the difference between it’s and its in this crafty quiz!

Question 1 of 12

On the farm, the feed for chicks is significantly different from the roosters’; ______ not even comparable.

it's

its

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of thoughtful

Middle English word dating back to 1150–1200; see origin at thought¹, -ful

synonym study for thoughtful

1. 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 WORDS FROM thoughtful

thought·ful·ly, adverbthought·ful·ness, nouno·ver·thought·ful, adjectiveo·ver·thought·ful·ly, adverb

o·ver·thought·ful·ness, nounun·thought·ful, adjectiveun·thought·ful·ly, adverbun·thought·ful·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for thoughtful

These are changes which are meant to have the conversation on Twitter be more thoughtful.
EmTech Stage: Twitter’s CTO on misinformation|Tate Ryan-Mosley|November 18, 2020|MIT Technology Review
An exception is Lady Gaga, who rates a thoughtful chapter toward the book’s end.
Beyoncé, Joni Mitchell and more: A veteran journalist tries to give female stars their due|Elizabeth Hand|November 12, 2020|Washington Post
For example, people asked to evaluate a potential job applicant found the applicant to be more thoughtful, intelligent and competent if they’d heard rather than read the person’s job pitch.
Texting all day? You’ll feel happier if you pick up the phone and chat.|Jill Suttie|November 6, 2020|Washington Post
For my birthday, Kanye got me the most thoughtful gift of a lifetime.
Kanye West Surprised Kim Kardashian With A Hologram Of Her Late Father For Her 40th Birthday|cmurray|October 30, 2020|Essence.com

It is always thoughtful of a son to seek his mother’s advice.
Miss Manners: Groom’s mother wants to contribute more than money to the wedding|Judith Martin, Nicholas Martin, Jacobina Martin|October 29, 2020|Washington Post
Endowing the feverish, PR-patrolled world of presidential politics with thoughtfulness and poise—now that would be radical.
Inside The Secret World of London’s National Gallery|Tim Teeman|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Rueful laughter from both men turned to thoughtfulness in Stittsworth.
The Strange, True Tale of the Old-Timey Goat Testicle-Implanting 'Governor'|Penny Lane|September 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was a biggish lad, with a boyish, slightly mischievous grin, and thoughtfulness and consideration were seamed in his character.
The James Foley I Knew in the ISIS War Zone|Jamie Dettmer|August 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His attempts at thoughtfulness fall flat, especially when he attempts On Walden Pond-esque introspection and self-assessment.
Adam Levine Is Off the Market… Thank God|Emily Shire|July 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His artistic thoughtfulness and precision are also evident in the 2009 collection Kazan on Directing.
Elia Kazan Was a Brilliant, Needy Pen Pal|Caryn James|April 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"Granted; as many as you like," he returned, glancing down into her eyes that were full of thoughtfulness and some speculation.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
It is too handsome for me; but I shall always keep it, and be glad for the thoughtfulness which prompted the lady to send it.
The Cromptons|Mary J. Holmes
Julian read the letter many times; he was touched by its delicate and eloquent sorrow—its fine and chastened thoughtfulness.
Julian Home|Dean Frederic W. Farrar
With her usual thoughtfulness Aunt Affy asked no question concerning the letter.
Growing Up|Jennie M. Drinkwater
Jack was very thoughtful; but his thoughtfulness now was of a different kind from his late moody silence.
The Devil-Tree of El Dorado|Frank Aubrey

British Dictionary definitions for thoughtful

thoughtful

/ (ˈθɔːtfʊl) /

adjective

considerate in the treatment of other people

showing careful thought

pensive; reflective

Derived forms of thoughtful

thoughtfully, adverbthoughtfulness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

thoughtful

adjective

SYNONYMS FOR thoughtful

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON “ITS” VS. “IT’S”!

Origin of thoughtful

synonym study for thoughtful

OTHER WORDS FROM thoughtful

Example sentences from the Web for thoughtful

British Dictionary definitions for thoughtful

adjective

Derived forms of thoughtful

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

thoughtful

adjective

SYNONYMS FOR thoughtful

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON “ITS” VS. “IT’S”!

Origin of thoughtful

synonym study for thoughtful

OTHER WORDS FROM thoughtful

Words related to thoughtful

Example sentences from the Web for thoughtful

British Dictionary definitions for thoughtful

adjective

Derived forms of thoughtful