Attentive
/əˈtɛntɪv/
adjectiveBeginner📊CommonPersonality Trait
1 meaning1 question
Definitions
1
Paying close attention; heedful.
/əˈtɛntɪv/
adjectivepositiveBeginner
Personality Trait
Paying close attention to something or someone.
She was an attentive listener, always making eye contact.
💡 Simply: Listening carefully and paying attention.
More Examples
2
The attentive doctor carefully examined the patient.
How It's Used
Education
"The attentive students diligently took notes during the lecture."
Customer Service
"The attentive waiter ensured our needs were met promptly."
From Middle French *attentif, from Latin *attentus, past participle of attendere "to pay attention".
The word has maintained a consistent meaning throughout its history, focusing on the act of paying close attention.
Memory tip
Think of 'attend' – attentive people attend to details.
Word Origin
LanguageLatin
Original meaning
"to pay attention"
Base: attend
attentive listenerattentive audienceattentive care
Common misspellings
atentiveattentative
Practice
Usage
40%Spoken
60%Written