thoughtful
Americanadjective
-
showing consideration for others; considerate.
- Synonyms:
- solicitous, attentive
-
characterized by or manifesting careful thought.
a thoughtful essay.
-
occupied with or given to thought; contemplative; meditative; reflective.
in a thoughtful mood.
-
careful, heedful, or mindful.
to be thoughtful of one's safety.
adjective
-
considerate in the treatment of other people
-
showing careful thought
-
pensive; reflective
Synonym Usage
Thoughtful, considerate mean taking thought for the comfort and the good of others. Thoughtful implies providing little attentions, offering services, or in some way looking out for the comfort or welfare of others: It was thoughtful of you to send the flowers. Considerate implies sparing others annoyance or discomfort, and being careful not to hurt their feelings: not considerate of his family.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of thoughtful
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English; thought 1 + -ful
Explanation
You are thoughtful if you consider how your actions and words will affect other people’s feelings. It is thoughtful to cook your friend's favorite dish when you invite him over for dinner. The adjective thoughtful describes someone who pays attention or considers others' feelings when they speak and act. If your friend is heartbroken about a recent break-up, holding off on gushing about your new love is the thoughtful thing to do. Thoughtful can also describe intellectual depth, like a thoughtful essay on a well-known poem that focuses on a line that other scholars have overlooked.
Vocabulary lists containing thoughtful
myPerspectives 6.2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She is softly spoken, thoughtful and articulate, sometimes looking to her mum for answers.
From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026
This sophomore effort from New Orleans duo Twisted Teens is as much a punk album as it is an Americana folk album, as loud as it is thoughtful, as crunchy as it is tender.
From Salon • Jun. 5, 2026
The Revere portrait celebrates the dignity of work, showing that an artisan can look as calm and thoughtful as a philosopher.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
That raises an uncomfortable question: Are these rule changes thoughtful evolutions in index design, or reactive attempts to preserve competitiveness?
From MarketWatch • Jun. 2, 2026
Ishtar's expression changed, going from her usual playful, slightly not-too-serious to deep and thoughtful.
From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
