thoughtful
adjective
thought·ful ˈthȯt-fəl 
1
a
: absorbed in thought : meditative
b
: characterized by careful reasoned thinking
a thoughtful essay
2
a
: having thoughts : heedful
became thoughtful about religion
b
: given to or chosen or made with heedful anticipation of the needs and wants of others
a kind and thoughtful friend
thoughtfully
ˈthȯt-fə-lē
adverb thoughtfulness noun
Synonyms
- attentive
- considerate
- kind
- solicitous
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
She looked at me with a thoughtful expression. He looked thoughtful for a moment. Her husband is always thoughtful. That's very thoughtful of you.
Recent Examples on the Web Some of these details might come up naturally in conversation, but asking questions is an effective and thoughtful way to connect with your boyfriend. 
Leah Campano, Seventeen, 1 Sep. 2022 Music Director Inon Barnatan’s ambitious and thoughtful monthlong concert series has covered several centuries worth of music and mixed the familiar with the new. Lukas Schulze, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2022 With her signature wit on full display, Mitchell, 78, paid homage to both her childhood piano teacher and her parents in a speech that was both self-deprecating and thoughtful. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2022 Inside was my magazine and a kind and thoughtful handwritten note. Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2022 Our testers were quite impressed by its sleek design, which includes a metal build and thoughtful features like its LED display, adjustable height, and wide range of airspeed settings. Samantha Jones, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Aug. 2022 Daltrey was thoughtful but funny at the same time during our 40-minute Zoom interview. Jim Clash, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 Some will become journalists and photojournalists who will make this industry better with their inclusive and thoughtful approach to reporting. oregonlive, 6 Aug. 2022 Any proposal must respect Alaskans’ Second Amendment rights and be disciplined and thoughtful in its approach. Anchorage Daily News, 5 Aug. 2022 See More
Leah Campano, Seventeen, 1 Sep. 2022 Music Director Inon Barnatan’s ambitious and thoughtful monthlong concert series has covered several centuries worth of music and mixed the familiar with the new. Lukas Schulze, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2022 With her signature wit on full display, Mitchell, 78, paid homage to both her childhood piano teacher and her parents in a speech that was both self-deprecating and thoughtful. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2022 Inside was my magazine and a kind and thoughtful handwritten note. Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2022 Our testers were quite impressed by its sleek design, which includes a metal build and thoughtful features like its LED display, adjustable height, and wide range of airspeed settings. Samantha Jones, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Aug. 2022 Daltrey was thoughtful but funny at the same time during our 40-minute Zoom interview. Jim Clash, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 Some will become journalists and photojournalists who will make this industry better with their inclusive and thoughtful approach to reporting. oregonlive, 6 Aug. 2022 Any proposal must respect Alaskans’ Second Amendment rights and be disciplined and thoughtful in its approach. Anchorage Daily News, 5 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
thoughtful
adjective
thought·ful ˈthȯt-fəl
1
: considerate of others
2
: deep in thought
3
: showing careful thinking
a thoughtful essay
thoughtful
adjective
1
as in attentive
given to or made with heedful anticipation of the needs and happiness of others a thoughtful offer to watch the neighbors' children on moving day a thoughtful manager who understands that people's families should be more important than their jobs Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- attentive
- kind
- caring
- considerate
- respectful
- gracious
- generous
- solicitous
- compassionate
- helpful
- hospitable
- polite
- sympathetic
- kindhearted
- nice
- good
- tactful
- courteous
- kindly
- gallant
- diplomatic
- dutiful
- good-hearted
- neighborly
- chivalrous
- selfless
- humane
- unselfish
- benevolent
- tender
- magnanimous
- obliging
- deferential
- brotherly
- charitable
- altruistic
- regardful
- courtly
- beneficent
- benignant
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- thoughtless
- unthinking
- inconsiderate
- heedless
- unkind
- inattentive
- uncaring
- inhospitable
- rude
- unkindly
- unheeding
- impolite
- uncivil
- unhelpful
- spiteful
- unmannerly
- malicious
- malevolent
- mean
- ill-mannered
- ill-bred
2
as in considered
decided on as a result of careful thought a thoughtful argument for military action Synonyms & Similar Words
- considered
- deliberate
- calculated
- reasoned
- careful
- thought-out
- studied
- advised
- informed
- planned
- weighed
- measured
- intended
- meticulous
- knowing
- designed
- premeditated
- intentional
- purposeful
- educated
- aforethought
- prudent
- foresighted
- prepense
- projected
- forethoughtful
- provident
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- casual
- random
- unconsidered
- uncalculated
- haphazard
- unstudied
- unadvised
- hasty
- chance
- spontaneous
- aimless
- hurried
- impetuous
- desultory
- ill-advised
- rushed
- sudden
- purposeless
- instinctive
- impromptu
- abrupt
- automatic
- extemporaneous
- half-cocked
- hit-or-miss
3
as in reflective
given to or marked by long, quiet thinking was a quiet and thoughtful child who rarely spoke but when he did, he almost always had something worthwhile to say Synonyms & Similar Words
- reflective
- melancholy
- contemplative
- philosophical
- pensive
- somber
- meditative
- ruminative
- musing
- serious
- rational
- logical
- solemn
- philosophic
- introspective
- earnest
- cogitative
- broody
- retrospective
- preoccupied
- analytic
- ruminant
- deliberate
- self-reflective
- sober
- purposeful
- analytical
- serious-minded
- sombre
- sedate
- severe
- abstracted
- weighty
- absentminded
- grave
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unreflective
- flippant
- frivolous
- goofy
- thoughtless
- scatterbrained
- silly
- harebrained
- unthinking
- flighty
- mindless
- brainless
- featherbrained
- light-headed