contemplative

1 of 2

adjective

con·​tem·​pla·​tive kən-ˈtem-plə-tiv 

ˈkän-təm-ˌplā-,

-ˌtem- 

: marked by or given to contemplation

specifically : of or relating to a religious order devoted to prayer and penance

a contemplative order of nuns

contemplatively adverb

contemplativeness noun

contemplative

2 of 2

noun

: a person who practices contemplation

Synonyms

Adjective

• thoughtful
• melancholy
• reflective
• meditative
• pensive
• philosophic
• philosophical

Examples of contemplative in a Sentence

Adjective

He has lived a quiet, contemplative life.

She joined a contemplative order of nuns.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Becerra, known for exploring themes of social and familial rupture—draws on his own teenage experiences to craft a raw, contemplative portrait of youth on the edge. —Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025

Cam, who grieves his father throughout the film, allowed Withers to show that even the toughest men in the world have their contemplative moments. —Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2025

Noun

People are kind of contemplative, that really speaks to the power of these objects to draw people in. —Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 10 Sep. 2025

But Ain’t in It for My Health strives to balance the upbeat with the contemplative. —Daniel Kohn, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English contemplatif "devoted to or concerned with spiritual meditation," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin contemplātīvus, going back to Latin, "theoretical, speculative," from contemplātus, past participle of contemplāre, contemplārī "to look at fixedly, observe, notice, ponder" + -īvus -ive — more at contemplate

Noun

Middle English contemplatyfe "person devoted to spiritual meditation," borrowed from Medieval Latin contemplātīvus, noun derivative of contemplātīvus "devoted to or concerned with spiritual meditation" — more at contemplative entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

contemplative

adjective

con·​tem·​pla·​tive

kən-ˈtem-plət-iv;

ˈkänt-əm-ˌplāt-,

ˈkän-ˌtem-

: involving or devoted to contemplation : meditative

the contemplative life

contemplatively adverb

contemplativeness noun