Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Given to careful thought; reflective.
  • adjective Engrossed in thought.
  • adjective Exhibiting or characterized by careful thought.
  • adjective Having or showing heed for the well-being or happiness of others and a propensity for anticipating their needs or wishes.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Occupied with thought; engaged in or disposed to reflection; contemplative; meditative.
  • Characterized by or manifesting thought; pertaining to thought; concerned with or dedicated to thought.
  • Mindful, as to something specified; heedful; careful: followed by of or an infinitive.
  • Showing regard or consideration for others; benevolent; considerate; kindly.
  • Full of care; anxious; troubled.
  • Synonyms Reflective, pensive, studious.
  • Considerate, regardful.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Full of thought; employed in meditation; contemplative.
  • adjective Attentive; careful; exercising the judgment; having the mind directed to an object.
  • adjective Anxious; solicitous; concerned.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Demonstrating thought or careful consideration.
  • adjective Demonstrating kindness or consideration for others.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective taking heed; giving close and thoughtful attention
  • adjective having intellectual depth
  • adjective acting with or showing thought and good sense
  • adjective exhibiting or characterized by careful thought
  • adjective considerate of the feelings or well-being of others

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From thought +‎ -ful

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word thoughtful.

Examples

  • Pretty good, Miss Green, the advisor called out with her usual restraint, hands on the hips of her gray sweats, her expression thoughtful A compact woman with frizzy brown hair and a somewhat plain face, Miss Green had a husky voice that always sounded as if she had laryngitis.

    The Second Evil R.L. STINE 2003

  • When he looked up, it was to glance slowly around the room, his expression thoughtful and distant.

    The Glory Game Janet Dailey 1985

  • When he looked up, it was to glance slowly around the room, his expression thoughtful and distant.

    The Glory Game Janet Dailey 1985

  • When he looked up, it was to glance slowly around the room, his expression thoughtful and distant.

    The Glory Game Janet Dailey 1985

  • Chloe turned and looked at me again, her expression thoughtful.

    Forever Lost Franklin W. Dixon 2011

  • Chloe turned and looked at me again, her expression thoughtful.

    Forever Lost Franklin W. Dixon 2011

  • She looked over the clothes, her expression thoughtful.

    Chicken Soup for the Soul: Grieving and Recovery Jack Canfield 2011

  • She looked over the clothes, her expression thoughtful.

    Chicken Soup for the Soul: Grieving and Recovery Jack Canfield 2011

  • She looked over the clothes, her expression thoughtful.

    Chicken Soup for the Soul: Grieving and Recovery Jack Canfield 2011

  • Chloe turned and looked at me again, her expression thoughtful.

    Forever Lost Franklin W. Dixon 2011

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.