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

• broody
• cogitative
• meditative
• melancholy
• musing
• pensive
• reflective
• ruminant
• ruminative
• thoughtful

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

Like these, there are several situations, difficult to explain in a logical way, but that have influenced my way of looking, giving a contemplative and dreamlike aspect to the images. —Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 3 July 2024

Everything noble and contemplative in his nature seems to have been consumed. —James Parker, The Atlantic, 13 June 2024

Noun

In the white-cube gallery, the works’ reflections were still and sparse, their effect contemplative, the mood austere. —Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 22 July 2024

The Trump who appeared on stage was humble, gracious, contemplative. —Matthew Continetti, National Review, 20 July 2024

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