Definition of 'thoughtful'
1. adjective
If you are thoughtful, you are quiet and serious because you are thinking about something.
2. adjective
If you describe someone as thoughtful, you approve of them because they remember what other people want, need, or feel,
and try not to upset them.
[approval]3. adjective
If you describe something such as a book, film, or speech as thoughtful, you mean that it is serious and well thought out.
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
British English pronunciation
American English pronunciation
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Word Frequency
thoughtful in American English
adjective
SYNONYMY NOTE: thoughtful, as compared here, implies the showing of thought for the comfort or well-being of
others, as by anticipating their needs or wishes [it was thoughtful of you to call]; considerate implies a thoughtful or sympathetic regard for the feelings or circumstances of others,
as in sparing them pain, distress, or discomfort [considerate enough to extend the time for payment]; attentive implies a constant thoughtfulness as shown by repeated acts of consideration, courtesy,
or devotion [an attentive suitor]1.
full of thought; meditative; thinking
2.
showing or characterized by thought; serious
a thoughtful essay
OPPOSITE: thoughtless
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
thoughtfully (ˈthoughtfully)
adverb
thoughtfulness (ˈthoughtfulness)
noun
Word Frequency
thoughtful in American English
(ˈθɔtfəl)
adjective
SYNONYMS 1. attentive, solicitous. 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. 1.
showing consideration for others; considerate
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
thoughtfully adverb
thoughtfulness
noun
Word Frequency
thoughtful in British English
adjective
1.
considerate in the treatment of other people
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
thoughtfully (ˈthoughtfully) adverb
thoughtfulness (ˈthoughtfulness)
noun
Examples of 'thoughtful' in a sentence
thoughtful
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In other languages
thoughtful
British English: thoughtful
/ˈθɔːtfʊl/ ADJECTIVE
If you are thoughtful, you are quiet and serious because you are thinking about something.
My friend was looking thoughtful.
- American English: thoughtful /ˈθɔtfəl/
- Arabic: مُسْتَغْرِقٌ في التَّفْكِير
- Brazilian Portuguese: atencioso
- Chinese: 体贴的
- Croatian: zamišljen
- Czech: zamyšlený
- Danish: tankefuld
- Dutch: attent
- European Spanish: pensativo
- Finnish: huomaavainen
- French: prévenant
- German: rücksichtsvoll
- Greek: συμπονετικός
- Italian: premuroso
- Japanese: 思慮深い
- Korean: 사려 깊은
- Norwegian: tenksom
- Polish: zamyślony
- European Portuguese: atencioso
- Romanian: preocupat
- Russian: задумчивый
- Spanish: pensativo
- Swedish: fundersam
- Thai: ครุ่นคิด
- Turkish: düşünceli
- Ukrainian: задумливий
- Vietnamese: quan tâm
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Definition of thoughtful from the Collins English Dictionary
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