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ATTENTIVE
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
(often followed by 'to') giving care or attention
Example:
an attentive suitor
Classified under:
Similar:
absorbed; captive; engrossed; enwrapped; intent; wrapped (giving or marked by complete attention to)
advertent; heedful (giving attention)
observant (paying close attention especially to details)
oversolicitous (excessively solicitous)
solicitous (showing hovering attentiveness)
Also:
concerned (feeling or showing worry or solicitude)
Attribute:
attention (a motionless erect stance with arms at the sides and feet together; assumed by military personnel during drill or review)
Antonym:
inattentive (showing a lack of attention or care)
Derivation:
attend (give heed (to))
attentiveness (paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people))
Sense 2
Meaning:
Taking heed; giving close and thoughtful attention
Example:
heedful of what they were doing
Synonyms:
attentive; heedful; paying attention; thoughtful
Classified under:
Attribute:
attentiveness; heed; paying attention; regard (paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people))
Derivation:
attend (give heed (to))
attentiveness (the trait of being observant and paying attention)
Context examples:
He was more attentive when Susan, who waited upon us at lunch, volunteered the information that she believed Mr. Smith had been out for a walk yesterday morning, and that he had only returned half an hour before the tragedy occurred.
(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Catherine had never heard Mrs. Tilney mentioned in the family before, and the interest excited by this tender remembrance showed itself directly in her altered countenance, and in the attentive pause with which she waited for something more.
(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)
What a pleasure to be the cause of that bright change in her attentive face, and the object of that sweet regard and welcome!
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
She is always so attentive to them!
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
I fancied you might be going to tell me I ought to be more attentive, and not allow my thoughts to wander.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
I observed you in your class this morning, and saw you were closely attentive: your thoughts never seemed to wander while Miss Miller explained the lesson and questioned you.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
This person might be your spouse, or it might be your business partner or collaborator, and as you begin March, you are still being attentive to this important person in your life.
(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)
It was more than civil; it was really attentive; and there was no necessity for such attention.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
His attentive behaviour to herself and his sisters convinced her that their welfare was dear to him, and, for a long time, she firmly relied on the liberality of his intentions.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
His attentive deference to her father, contrasted with his former language, was odious; and when she thought of his cruel conduct towards Mrs Smith, she could hardly bear the sight of his present smiles and mildness, or the sound of his artificial good sentiments.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
