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 of attentive

• focused
• immersed
• absorbed
• interested

Examples of attentive in a Sentence

The hospital is proud of its attentive staff.

Our waiter was very attentive.

Recent Examples on the Web

Long consultations can signal attentive care in one setting and inefficiency in another. — Deidre Popovich, The Conversation, 22 July 2026

Bernier said zoo employees pay close attention to their animals, and the same should be done for pets at home, even if owners are already attentive. — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026

Medicare would clarify how clinicians can be paid for the attentive work of tapering a patient off of a medication (which is already a part of routine clinical care). — Sunny Patel, STAT, 17 July 2026

The service The staff are polite and attentive, and will provide thoughtful touches, such as leaving birthday cakes for guests. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

see attend

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for attentive

• agentive
• incentive
• inventive
• preventive
• retentive
• disincentive
• inattentive

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