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

Inside is super-clean and nice, and the servers were very kind and attentive. — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2026

The ones who get it, get it, and will be incomparably thoughtful and attentive. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2026

Coop — who has been practicing his knots, learning how to drive the tender, and generally being attentive and curious about his new job — does wonderfully, which earns him some praise from the bosun. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 30 June 2026

The women wanted physicians who were disease preventers, and doctors who were attentive to the difficulties wrought by menopause, which have been increasingly found to leave women vulnerable to other ailments. — Melanie Thernstrom, New Yorker, 29 June 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