Pensive — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈpen(t)-siv/ pen·sive

Meaning & Definition of Pensive

Pensive (adjective)

  1. musingly or dreamily thoughtful
  2. suggestive of sad thoughtfulness

Pensive (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. given to or marked by long, quiet thinking

    "rainy days often put her in a pensive mood"

    similar: broody, cogitative, contemplative, meditative, melancholy, musing, reflective, ruminant, ruminative, thoughtful
    related: introspective, retrospective, self-reflective, earnest, grave, sedate, serious, serious-minded, severe, sober, solemn, somber, weighty, philosophical, analytic, logical, rational, deliberate, purposeful, absentminded, abstracted, preoccupied
    opposite: unreflective
    near: featherbrained, flighty, flippant, frivolous, goofy, harebrained, light-headed, scatterbrained, brainless, mindless, silly, thoughtless, unthinking

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Pensive

The most common words with a similar meaning to Pensive:

broody, cogitative, contemplative, meditative, melancholy, musing, reflective, ruminant, ruminative, thoughtful

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Pensive

Words with the opposite meaning of Pensive:

unreflective

Related Words for Pensive

introspective, retrospective, self-reflective, earnest, grave, sedate, serious, serious-minded, severe, sober, solemn, somber, weighty, philosophical, analytic, logical, rational, deliberate, purposeful, absentminded, abstracted, preoccupied

Near Antonyms of Pensive

featherbrained, flighty, flippant, frivolous, goofy, harebrained, light-headed, scatterbrained, brainless, mindless, silly, thoughtless, unthinking

Word Forms of Pensive

Derived words: pensively (adverb), pensiveness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Pensive

Middle English pensif "sad, anxious, thoughtful, lost in thought," borrowed from Anglo-French (also continental Old French), from penser "to think of, consider, ponder" (borrowed from Latin pensāre "to weigh, counterbalance, weigh in the mind, consider," iterative of pendere "to weigh, have a weight of, pay [out], estimate, consider") + -if -ive pendent:1

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Pensive

What does "Pensive" mean?

"Pensive" means musingly or dreamily thoughtful. As an adjective, it is defined as: musingly or dreamily thoughtful.

What is another word for "Pensive"?

Other words for "Pensive" include broody, cogitative, contemplative, meditative, melancholy, musing, reflective and ruminant. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Pensive" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Pensive"?

There are 32 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Pensive". Common alternatives include broody, cogitative, contemplative, meditative, melancholy, musing, reflective, ruminant, ruminative and thoughtful.

What is the opposite of "Pensive"?

Antonyms of "Pensive" include unreflective. Near antonyms include featherbrained, flighty, flippant and frivolous.

How do you use "Pensive" in a sentence?

Examples of "Pensive" in a sentence: "rainy days often put her in a pensive mood".

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

"Pensive" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Pensive"?

"Pensive" is pronounced /ˈpen(t)-siv/ and divided into syllables as pen·sive.

What is the origin of the word "Pensive"?

"Pensive" comes from Middle English pensif "sad, anxious, thoughtful, lost in thought," borrowed from Anglo-French (also continental Old French), from penser "to think of, consider, ponder" (borrowed from Latin pensāre "to weigh, counterbalance, weigh in the mind, consider," iterative of pendere "to weigh, have a weight of, pay [out], estimate, consider") + -if -ive pendent:1. First known use: 14th century.