attentive
adjective
at·ten·tive ə-ˈten-tiv 
1
: mindful, observant
attentive to what he is doing
2
: heedful of the comfort of others : solicitous
an attentive waitress
3
: offering attentions in or as if in the role of a suitor
an attentive boyfriend
attentively adverb
attentiveness noun
Synonyms
- absorbed
- deep
- engrossed
- enthralled
- focused
- focussed
- immersed
- intent
- observant
- rapt
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The hospital is proud of its attentive staff. Our waiter was very attentive.
Recent Examples on the Web Being attentive to realities like war is often painful, and people are not well-equipped to keep a sustained focus on ongoing or traumatic occurrences. 
Rebecca Rozelle-stone, The Conversation, 6 Sep. 2022 Roald Dahl, John Berger, and John le Carré were some of the writers who judged Rushdie to have been insufficiently attentive to clerical sensitivities in Tehran. David Remnick, The New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2022 Will those who can access genetic medicine remain attentive to the needs of those left behind? Laura Hercher, STAT, 27 Aug. 2022 Critics have questioned the effectiveness of gas tax holidays, dismissing the idea as little more than an attempt by the White House and vulnerable Democrats to show that the party is attentive to Americans’ financial pain. New York Times, 22 June 2022 But critics have questioned the effectiveness of gas tax holidays, dismissing the idea as little more than a desperate attempt by the White House and vulnerable Democrats to show that the party is attentive to Americans’ financial pain. BostonGlobe.com, 22 June 2022 The salmon was very good and the staff was attentive. Melissa Schorr, BostonGlobe.com, 8 July 2022 Ultimately, the role should be filled by someone who has excellent communication skills, a deep understanding of the M&A lifecycle, leadership skills and is attentive to stakeholder needs. Kison Patel, Forbes, 7 July 2022 Their government hosts were attentive, but didn’t necessarily seem receptive. Chris Heath, The Atlantic, 17 June 2022 See More
Rebecca Rozelle-stone, The Conversation, 6 Sep. 2022 Roald Dahl, John Berger, and John le Carré were some of the writers who judged Rushdie to have been insufficiently attentive to clerical sensitivities in Tehran. David Remnick, The New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2022 Will those who can access genetic medicine remain attentive to the needs of those left behind? Laura Hercher, STAT, 27 Aug. 2022 Critics have questioned the effectiveness of gas tax holidays, dismissing the idea as little more than an attempt by the White House and vulnerable Democrats to show that the party is attentive to Americans’ financial pain. New York Times, 22 June 2022 But critics have questioned the effectiveness of gas tax holidays, dismissing the idea as little more than a desperate attempt by the White House and vulnerable Democrats to show that the party is attentive to Americans’ financial pain. BostonGlobe.com, 22 June 2022 The salmon was very good and the staff was attentive. Melissa Schorr, BostonGlobe.com, 8 July 2022 Ultimately, the role should be filled by someone who has excellent communication skills, a deep understanding of the M&A lifecycle, leadership skills and is attentive to stakeholder needs. Kison Patel, Forbes, 7 July 2022 Their government hosts were attentive, but didn’t necessarily seem receptive. Chris Heath, The Atlantic, 17 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
see attend
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
attentive
adjective
at·ten·tive ə-ˈten-tiv
1
: paying attention
an attentive listener
2
: very thoughtful about the needs of others
Mama was cordial and attentive to everyone, as if entertaining them gave her a purpose. Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Rising
Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Risingattentive
adjective
1
as in focused
having the mind fixed on something Susan became particularly attentive when the sportscaster turned to women's tennis, her favorite sport Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- focused
- immersed
- absorbed
- interested
- observant
- rapt
- engrossed
- enthralled
- engaged
- intent
- focussed
- watchful
- involved
- all ears
- deep
- intrigued
- conscious
- alert
- mesmerized
- hypnotized
- alive
- open-eyed
- wide-awake
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- inattentive
- distracted
- absent
- oblivious
- absentminded
- unfocused
- abstracted
- preoccupied
- remote
- unabsorbed
- dreamy
- disinterested
- unfocussed
- uninterested
- lost
- hazy
- foggy
- apathetic
- inobservant
- daydreaming
- faraway
2
as in thoughtful
given to or made with heedful anticipation of the needs and happiness of others an attentive neighbor who helps out whenever and wherever she spots a need Synonyms & Similar Words
- thoughtful
- caring
- kind
- considerate
- solicitous
- respectful
- gracious
- hospitable
- generous
- polite
- compassionate
- helpful
- courteous
- sympathetic
- good
- obliging
- kindly
- tactful
- dutiful
- gallant
- kindhearted
- nice
- deferential
- regardful
- neighborly
- diplomatic
- benevolent
- tender
- chivalrous
- selfless
- unselfish
- brotherly
- humane
- good-hearted
- courtly
- magnanimous
- altruistic
- beneficent
- charitable
- benignant
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- inattentive
- heedless
- thoughtless
- inconsiderate
- unthinking
- uncaring
- unkind
- unheeding
- inhospitable
- rude
- unkindly
- impolite
- uncivil
- unmannerly
- unhelpful
- malicious
- spiteful
- malevolent
- mean
- ill-mannered
- ill-bred
3
as in alert
paying close attention usually for the purpose of anticipating approaching danger or opportunity if only for your own safety, you need to stay attentive when you are hunting Synonyms & Similar Words
- alert
- vigilant
- awake
- watchful
- regardful
- careful
- aware
- observant
- cautious
- alive
- sensitive
- wary
- conscious
- on guard
- prepared
- mindful
- keen
- open-eyed
- on tiptoe
- wide-awake
- cognizant
- heedful
- tentie
- observing
- Argus-eyed
- on the alert
- wakeful
- tenty
- on the ball
- on the qui vive
- hypervigilant
- chary
- ready
- on one's toes
- hyperalert
- sleepless
- sharp-eyed
- sharp
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- oblivious
- distracted
- preoccupied
- absent
- absorbed
- unaware
- engrossed
- dreamy
- inattentive
- asleep
- unconscious
- dreaming
- dazed
- sleeping
- careless
- abstracted
- insensible
- unwitting
- heedless
- unmindful
- absentminded
- unknowing
- unthinking
- unprepared
- daydreaming
- unwary
- faraway
- unready
- unheeding
- continuous pool
- continuous positive airway pressure
- continuous servitude
- continuous spectrum
- continuous spinning
- continuous variation
- continuous voyage
- continuous watermark
- continuous waves
- continuous-tone
- continuously
- continuousness
- continuousnesses
- continuum
- continuums
- contl
- contline
- contlines
- contn
- conto
- contoid
- contoise
- contopi
- contopuses
- contopusses