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

At a panel discussion in June at the Huntington Theatre in Boston, Marnik explained that her own change of heart about vaccination occurred only after many talks with kind, attentive friends and professors over four years of college. — Felice J. Freyer, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026

If a package is delayed, the same agent with the same contextual knowledge proactively reaches out to help, mirroring the attentive care of a personal client advisor. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026

Studies show that even being attentive to word choice can help ensure effective care for patients that avoids victim blaming. — Michele Patterson Ford, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026

Clancy was an attentive mother and a compassionate nurse, said Margaret Hamp, a nurse who worked with the defendant. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 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