Skip to main content
thoughtful

thoughtful

19 3.2
Paying careful attention to what is happening
  • adjective
  • /ˈθɔtfl/
translation icon : atento
  • Discussions should be conducted in a focused, thoughtful, and polite manner.
  • thoughtful attention
  • thoughtful planning
  • thoughtful deliberation

It's it's very careful and thoughtful engagement with these.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • But we really do need to be thoughtful consumers of other people's stories.

  • The transition to the market requires a thoughtful approach to the question of government regulation.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Thank you so much for this thoughtful, thoughtful gift.

  • Is there a way to be a thoughtful consumer of market news or no?

  • You have to have a hook, you have to be thoughtful, you have to have an opinion.

  • We cannot fully control this dynamic, but we can be thoughtful about it.

    Academic text (2013)
  • And above all, they must continually ask questions to become informed, engaged, thoughtful citizens.

    Academic text (2013)
  • The resolution you've put before this senate is clear, it is thoughtful, and above all, it is brave.

  • We make careful, strategic, measured, thoughtful decisions with knowable outcomes.

  • He wrote a thoughtful letter to express his appreciation for her support.

Synonyms

considerate
vsthoughtful
68 2.5

Showing care for other people's needs and feelings

is about paying attention to things not primarily about others
vigilant
vsthoughtful
66 6.0

A person who keeps careful watch for danger or problems

is about general careful attention beyond only danger watching
attentive
vsthoughtful
61 3.0

Paying close attention and caring about someone's needs

shares the same meaning and applies broadly to careful attention
meticulous
vsthoughtful
58 8.6

Being very careful about small details

is broader meaning careful attention not only about detail precision
mindful
vsthoughtful
57 4.0

Aware of something and paying careful attention

focuses more on active awareness rather than passive notice
conscientious
vsthoughtful
49 5.9

Careful and serious about doing work the right way

focuses on careful attention but not necessarily duty or moral choice
watchful
vsthoughtful
37 3.2

Being careful and ready to notice danger or problems

is broader and not limited to danger or problem watching
diligent
vsthoughtful
37 3.6

To work carefully and try hard to finish tasks

is about paying careful attention rather than sustained work effort
observant
vsthoughtful
35 3.9

Quick to notice small details and things around you

is similar but focuses on active noticing rather than general attention
mindful of
vsthoughtful
31 4.0

Aware of something and careful about it

is broader meaning careful attention generally not only about one thing
scrupulous
vsthoughtful
3 7.2

Careful to do things correctly and notice small details

is general careful attention rather than extreme or moral exactness
punctilious
vsthoughtful
  • Formal
1 8.9

Being very careful about small details and correct behaviour

focuses on general attentiveness rather than strict rule correctness
heedful
vsthoughtful
1 7.7

Careful about advice, warnings, and small details

is the same idea but stresses following warnings or advice
advertent
vsthoughtful
9.0

To pay careful attention to what is happening

is the same careful attention idea but stresses deliberate intent
cogitative
vsthoughtful
  • Formal
8.4

Thinking carefully to understand or solve something

is about careful attention to things rather than inward thinking
forethoughtful
vsthoughtful
  • Archaic
8.0

Careful when planning ahead to avoid problems

is about paying careful attention now rather than planning for the future

Antonyms

5 5.3

Does not notice what is happening or small details

Compounds

An action that shows care for someone

How Attentive

vigilant
66 6.0
attentive
61 3.0
thoughtful
19 3.2
aware
2.7

Surface Forms

thoughtful positive
thoughtfuler comparative
thoughtfulest superlative

Morphology

thoughtful = thought (transparent) = thought + ful

Standard derivation 'thought' + '-ful' yielding 'attentive' as 'full of thought' about something.

Etymology

Thoughtful comes from thought ('think') plus -ful ('full of'), so it can mean being 'full of thinking' about what you do. That's why a thoughtful person pays careful attention and is careful in their actions.