attentive

adjective

at·​ten·​tive ə-ˈten-tiv 

1

: mindful, observant

attentive to what he is doing

2

: heedful of the comfort of others : solicitous

an attentive waitress

3

: offering attentions in or as if in the role of a suitor

an attentive boyfriend

attentively adverb

attentiveness noun

Synonyms

• absorbed
• deep
• engrossed
• enthralled
• focused
• focussed
• immersed
• intent
• observant
• rapt

Examples of attentive in a Sentence

The hospital is proud of its attentive staff.

Our waiter was very attentive.

Recent Examples on the Web

Compared to the zero-tolerance policies of the recent past, this emerging approach to drug control is less focused on criminal punishment and more attentive to the costs and benefits of different substances and interventions. —David Pozen, TIME, 25 Apr. 2024

The nature and degree of popular anger, the decline of U.S. primacy and the collapse of its legitimacy, and Arab regimes’ prioritization of their domestic survival, as well as regional competition, suggests that the new regional order will be much more attentive to public opinion than the old. —Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see attend

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

attentive

adjective

at·​ten·​tive ə-ˈtent-iv 

1

: paying attention

2

: thoughtful for the welfare or comfort of others : courteous

attentively adverb

attentiveness noun