Attentive — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ə-ˈten-tiv/ at·ten·tive

Meaning & Definition of Attentive

Attentive (adjective)

  1. mindful, observant
  2. heedful of the comfort of others, solicitous
  3. offering attentions in or as if in the role of a suitor

Attentive (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having the mind fixed on something

    "Susan became particularly attentive when the sportscaster turned to women's tennis, her favorite sport"

    similar: absorbed, deep, engrossed, enthralled, focused, immersed, intent, observant, rapt, all ears
    related: engaged, interested, intrigued, involved, hypnotized, mesmerized, alert, alive, conscious, open-eyed, watchful, wide-awake
    opposite: absent, absentminded, abstracted, distracted, inattentive, inobservant, unabsorbed, unfocused
    near: daydreaming, dreamy, faraway, foggy, hazy, lost, oblivious, preoccupied, remote, apathetic, disinterested, uninterested

  2. given to or made with heedful anticipation of the needs and happiness of others

    "an attentive neighbor who helps out whenever and wherever she spots a need"

    similar: considerate, kind, solicitous, thoughtful
    related: brotherly, good, good-hearted, helpful, hospitable, kindhearted, kindly, neighborly, nice, caring, compassionate, sympathetic, tender, chivalrous, courteous, courtly, gallant, gracious, polite, diplomatic, tactful, deferential, dutiful, obliging, regardful, respectful, altruistic, beneficent, benevolent, benignant, humane, selfless, unselfish, charitable, generous, magnanimous
    opposite: heedless, inconsiderate, thoughtless, unthinking
    near: inattentive, uncaring, unheeding, inhospitable, unkind, unkindly, ill-bred, ill-mannered, impolite, rude, uncivil, unmannerly, unhelpful, malevolent, malicious, mean, spiteful

  3. paying close attention usually for the purpose of anticipating approaching danger or opportunity

    "if only for your own safety, you need to stay attentive when you are hunting"

    similar: alert, Argus-eyed, awake, observant, open-eyed, tenty (Scottish), vigilant, watchful, wide-awake, on guard, on one's toes, on the alert, on the ball, on the qui vive, on tiptoe
    related: alive, aware, conscious, sensitive, cognizant, heedful, keen, mindful, observing, regardful, sharp, sharp-eyed, hyperalert, hypervigilant, sleepless, wakeful, careful, cautious, chary, wary, prepared, ready
    opposite: asleep
    near: absent, absentminded, absorbed, abstracted, daydreaming, dazed, distracted, dreaming, dreamy, engrossed, faraway, insensible, oblivious, preoccupied, sleeping, unaware, unconscious, unknowing, unwitting, careless, heedless, inattentive, unheeding, unmindful, unthinking, unwary, unprepared, unready

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Attentive

The most common words with a similar meaning to Attentive:

Scottish: tenty
absorbed, deep, engrossed, enthralled, focused, immersed, intent, observant, rapt, considerate, kind, solicitous, thoughtful, alert, Argus-eyed, awake, open-eyed, vigilant, watchful, wide-awake, all ears, on guard, on one's toes, on the alert, on the ball, on the qui vive, on tiptoe

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Attentive

Words with the opposite meaning of Attentive:

absent, absentminded, abstracted, distracted, inattentive, inobservant, unabsorbed, unfocused, heedless, inconsiderate, thoughtless, unthinking, asleep

Related Words for Attentive

engaged, interested, intrigued, involved, hypnotized, mesmerized, alive, conscious, brotherly, good, good-hearted, helpful, hospitable, kindhearted, kindly, neighborly, nice, caring, compassionate, sympathetic, tender, chivalrous, courteous, courtly, gallant, gracious, polite, diplomatic, tactful, deferential

Near Antonyms of Attentive

daydreaming, dreamy, faraway, foggy, hazy, lost, oblivious, preoccupied, remote, apathetic, disinterested, uninterested, uncaring, unheeding, inhospitable, unkind, unkindly, ill-bred, ill-mannered, impolite, rude, uncivil, unmannerly, unhelpful, malevolent, malicious, mean, spiteful, absorbed, dazed

Word Forms of Attentive

Derived words: attentively (adverb), attentiveness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Attentive

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Attentive

What does "Attentive" mean?

"Attentive" means mindful, observant. As an adjective, it is defined as: mindful, observant. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Attentive"?

Other words for "Attentive" include absorbed, deep, engrossed, enthralled, focused, immersed, intent and observant. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Attentive" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Attentive"?

There are 91 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Attentive". Common alternatives include absorbed, deep, engrossed, enthralled, focused, immersed, intent, observant, rapt and considerate.

What is the opposite of "Attentive"?

Antonyms of "Attentive" include absent, absentminded, abstracted, distracted, inattentive, inobservant, unabsorbed and unfocused. Near antonyms include daydreaming, dreamy, faraway and foggy.

How do you use "Attentive" in a sentence?

Examples of "Attentive" in a sentence: "Susan became particularly attentive when the sportscaster turned to women's tennis, her favorite sport"; "an attentive neighbor who helps out whenever and wherever she spots a need"; "if only for your own safety, you need to stay attentive when you are hunting".

Is "Attentive" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Attentive" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Attentive"?

"Attentive" is pronounced /ə-ˈten-tiv/ and divided into syllables as at·ten·tive.

What is the origin of the word "Attentive"?

First known use: 15th century.