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

Across the property the service is as five-star as the hotel, interactions friendly and attentive. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026

Technology should operate behind the scenes, quietly empowering employees to provide the attentive, personalized service that luxury clients expect. —Guy Yehiav, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

Their books demonstrate that preparing for the future requires understanding the past and developing a patient, attentive disposition toward the here and now. —Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026

Manny Malhotra was a veteran of seven different NHL clubs, a heady player who was attentive to detail and valuable in subtle ways. —Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 25 May 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