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

• 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

Only four minutes later, Kilman tried to pass around Aaronson, but gave it straight to the attentive No 11. —Beren Cross, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025

Even as Wall Street analysts complained that Costco ought to be more attentive to shareholders, its strategy appeared to be working. —Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025

In the documentary, neighbors, friends, and family describe Owens as a caring and attentive mother who stepped in whenever her kids were antagonized by Lorincz. —Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025

Habanero Cafe features attentive servers who take your order at your table, but payment happens at the counter in the front foyer. —Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025

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