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

Yet Gomez has largely urged his flock to lead contemplative lives in the name of Jesus, Mary and the Saints, which pales to the witness practiced not just by Francis but by many in the L.A. Archdiocese itself. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025

His contemplative, emotionally nuanced storytelling has established him as a significant voice in contemporary Japanese cinema. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 May 2025

Noun

The palate is deep, rich, contemplative, layered with blackstrap molasses, old leather, roasted hazelnuts, and bittersweet dark chocolate flavors. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025

On a wall of her office, a painting depicted Chavez looking contemplative, with a desert road behind him. —Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 26 Oct. 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