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

Fed Chair Jerome Powell struck a more dovish tone on monetary policy yesterday, reassuring investors that the central bank remains attentive to both inflation and a softening labor market. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2025

Ultimately, Flatbike’s evolution illustrates how attentive problem-solving rooted in personal experience can yield solutions that are both practical and widely relevant. —Nia Bowers, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025

Guys were paying attention to everything Coach was saying — very attentive to detail on coverages, plays, positioning — all that. —Evan Bell, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025

While the roads are well-maintained, the winding mountain sections require attentive driving, especially when leaf-peeping traffic increases. —Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 5 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