thoughtfuladj.
/ˈθɔːtf(ᵿ)l/, U.S. /ˈθɔtf(ə)l/, /ˈθɑtf(ə)l/ Having or characterized by thought, in various senses.† 3. Capable of thought; conscious, intelligent. Obsolete. rare.
1.
a. Given to, disposed to, or engaged in thinking; absorbed in thought; meditative, contemplative; pensive, musing; full of thoughts, preoccupied in mind. Also of personal attributes, actions, or other things associated with a person.In quot. 1656: absent-minded.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > [adjective]
thoughtfulc1175
contemplative1340
considerativec1449
musing1449
studient1532
pondering1566
contemplatory1576
speculative1578
considerate1581
reflective1581
theorical1594
theoric?1600
theoretical1608
meditative1611
thoughtsome1627
reflexive1630
reflecting1632
revolutive1637
cogitativea1639
thoughtive1654
lucubratory1656
thinkful1668
theoretic1701
ruminatinga1704
reflectious1715
ruminative1774
thinking1799
meditative1831
ruminant1849
meditational1864
penseful1865
the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > mental wandering > abstraction, absent-mindedness > [adjective]
in one's musesa1500
abstract1509
abstracteda1586
absent1631
thoughtful1656
vacant1680
lost in thought1681
withdrawn1713
dreamy1794
dun1797
preoccupied1801
absent-minded1824
pebble-beached1890
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 3423 Ure laffdiȝ marȝe toc All þatt ȝho sahh. & herrde..& leȝȝde itt all to samenn aȝȝ I swiþe þohhtfull heorrte.
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Thoughtfull, cogitabundus, meditabundus.
1596 R. Linche Dom Diego in Diella sig. D8 Thus lay they sleeplesse, thoughtfull, euer thinking on sluggish humor of expected Morne.
1656 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. II. iv. 43 He was so thoughtfull, that going to put Incense into a Censer, he put it besides.
1686 J. Nalson tr. Demetrius in tr. Plutarch Lives V. 74 He now became very thoughtful, silent and retired.
1703 A. Pope Windsor-Forest 11 Wandring thoughtful in the silent Wood.
1717 A. Pope Wks. 379 War, horrid war, your thoughtful walks invades.
1805 H. K. White Let. 18 Oct. in Remains (1807) I. 177 My silent and thoughtful cup of tea.
1873 W. Black Princess of Thule iii. 44 He grew to regard her calm and thoughtful look as a kind of spell.
1926 H. C. Witwer Roughly Speaking 243 His teeth clicked and he gave me a long, thoughtful look, but I poker-faced him and went on plugging my [switch-]board.
1979 A. C. Clarke Fountains of Paradise 55 In a very thoughtful mood Rajasinghe depolarized the library windows and sat for a long time staring out at the trees around the villa.
2000 I. Pattison Stranger here Myself (2001) iii. 111 ‘How long do you think it'll take us to hitch-hike?’ I asked him. Cotter did ‘pull on my chin and look thoughtful’ acting even though he'd never hitched in his puff before.
b. Disposed to think about or consider matters; prudent; reflective. Also: characterized by reflection; manifesting thought.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > thinking about, consideration, deliberation > [adjective]
contemplative1340
thoughtfula1400
considering1483
revolving1597
deliberative1602
ponderative1610
reflexive1630
ponderous1632
reflecting1632
reflectivea1640
perpensive1647
balancing1850
meditative1876
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > wisdom, sagacity > prudence, discretion > [adjective]
warec888
wiseOE
adviseda1325
witty1340
prudenta1382
thoughtfula1400
wisea1400
well-advisedc1405
visablea1450
canny1581
judicious1598
serious-minded1694
expedient1828
far-seeing1837
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11404 (MED) Þai ordeind tuelue, þe thoghtfulest a-mang þam-selue.
c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Clerk's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 295 This thoghtful [v.rr. þouht-full, douȝtfull] Markys spak vn to this mayde Ful sobrely and seyde in this manere Where is youre fader.
a1500 tr. A. Chartier Traité de l'Esperance (Rawl.) 99 The state of mariage..is Godly and according to veray love, laufull engendringe, profitable, thoughtfull norisshinge, and necessarye to the good techinge of childern.
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1537) x. sig. Fijv This emperour was so thoughtfull in the orderynge and teachynge of his children, that [etc.].
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes ii. f. 312 So carefull was Marcus Tullius to tell his tale after a good & perfecte sorte, and would bestowe so thoughtful study on such a matier yt no woord might bee placed out of square.
1670 G. Havers tr. G. Leti Il Cardinalismo di Santa Chiesa ii. ii. 151 Thoughtful and cogitative, a great designor.
1685 J. Phillips tr. Plutarch Morals III. vii. 199 The Sybil..uttering Sentences altogether thoughtful and serious, neither fucus'd nor perfum'd.
1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. ii. viii. 275 Objections, which may appear very material to thoughtful Men.
1762 S. Scott Descr. Millenium Hall 235 The old lady's proposal made them a little thoughtful; they saw no very good reason for their marrying; they enjoyed each others society already, and did not wish for any more intimate tie.
1827 E. Bulwer-Lytton Falkland i. 13 I grew by degrees of a more thoughtful and visionary nature.
1879 J. A. Froude Cæsar xiv. 200 Thoughtful persons..had heard of these doings with uneasiness.
1884 F. Temple Relations Relig. & Sci. (1885) i. 5 Not beyond the reach of thoughtful inquiry.
1926 Travel Nov. 53/2 (advt.) We know that every thoughtful man and woman will wish to give this unusual opportunity careful study.
1963 B. T. Hunter Nat. Foods Cookbk. p. xv Many thoughtful people are..seeking out the good old flavors, textures and nutrients of the natural foods their grandparents enjoyed.
2002 R. Webber Younger Evangelicals iii. xv. 217 David Hopkins, a college student, wrote a very thoughtful article on the phony ‘hyper-reality’ of our time.
c. With †infinitive, †subordinate clause, †for, or of: (a) Thinking about or meditating on something; careful, heedful; mindful; (cf. sense 4); †(b) having as an intention or purpose, aiming at or desirous (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > [adjective]
busyOE
carefula1000
orne?c1225
intentivec1290
soignous1340
curiousc1386
diligentc1400
well-advisedc1405
thoughtfulc1450
thoughtyc1480
keepful1489
tentfula1525
respective1525
solicit?1526
heedful1548
heedy1548
tentyc1555
chare1564
respectful1585
tentible1603
solicitous1610
observant1627
care-taking1825
leery1911
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > [adjective] > careful of
mindyOE
mindc1300
mindfula1382
mindly1435
thoughtfulc1450
respective1560
suspectful1570
regardfula1586
respectful1585
considerate1592
remembering1625
sensible1626
c1450 (c1415) in W. O. Ross Middle Eng. Serm. (1940) 330 (MED) She was besy and þoughfull for þe socoure of all mankeend.
c1480 (a1400) St. Machor l. 1161 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 34 Pray hyme..That he..thochtfull be Of his hicht that he mad to me.
?1526 G. Hervet tr. Erasmus De Immensa Dei Misericordia sig. M.ijv Ye people thoughtful, by what mean they mought apease god.
1550 R. Sherry tr. J. Brenz Verye Fruitful Expos. Syxte Chapter St. John sig. Niiiiv What meaneth that, that thou shouldes be thoughtful of thy continuaunce in fayth?
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 iv. iii. 202 For this they haue beene thoughtfull to inuest Their sonnes with arts and martiall exercises. View more context for this quotation
1621 T. W. tr. S. Goulart Wise Vieillard 105 They are much more thoughtfull of their minde.
1715 J. Chappelow Right Way to be Rich 138 The Believer..is thoughtful to have a..fuller View of..Christ.
1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti Architecture I. 93/2 A Prisoner always thoughtful of his liberty and safety.
1821 Examiner 252/1 Thoughtful of enjoyments for ever left behind.
1884 Cent. Mag. Jan. 421/2 The primal, abysmal energies..thoughtful of the shepherd and his flocks, and voiceful only in the leaping torrents, look out upon one near at hand and pass a mute recognition.
1912 J. H. Harper House of Harper xxxvii. 560 Samson Low, so courteous, so kind, and so thoughtful of the good and the interests of those with whom he was surrounded.
1943 Times 15 Oct. 10/2 I Promise to be thoughtful of old folks, to be kind to animals, and always to play the game.
2000 Biogr. Mem. Fellows Royal Soc. 46 45 His role made him increasingly thoughtful of the importance of motivating others and thinking of how this might best be achieved.
2. Full of mental trouble; anxious; sorrowful, melancholy, moody. Now Scottish. rare except as passing into sense 1.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > sorrow or grief > [adjective]
sorelyc888
gramec893
sorrowfuleOE
unblithec897
sorryeOE
carefulOE
charyOE
sickOE
yomerOE
sorry-moodOE
sweerc1000
yomerlyOE
sorrilyOE
woea1200
balec1220
sorry?c1225
sorec1275
sorec1275
gremefula1300
sada1300
ruthlyc1300
thoughtfulc1300
woebegonea1325
heavyc1330
grievousc1374
woefula1375
sorrowya1382
dereful?a1400
sorousa1400
sytefula1400
teenfula1400
wrotha1400
balefulc1400
tristy?c1400
tristc1420
dolefulc1430
wapped in woec1440
yhevidc1440
dolenta1450
condolentc1460
discomforted1477
tristfula1492
sorrow1496
dram?a1513
dolorous1513
earnful?1527
troublous1535
amort1546
mournfula1558
passioned1560
sadded1566
tristive1578
distressed1586
passionate1586
sorrowed1596
distressful1601
passionful1605
sighful1606
contristed1625
anguishinga1642
sadful1658
saddened1665
tristitious1694
sick as a parrot1705
pangful1727
woesome1778
grieving1807
ruesome1833
yearned1838
doleant1861
mournsome1869
thoughted1869
tragical1887
grief-stricken1905
the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > worry > anxiety > [adjective]
busyOE
howful970
carefulOE
angerful?c1225
yemelichc1275
thoughtfulc1300
anguishousc1325
curiousc1400
carkfulc1449
solicitate?a1475
solicit?1526
fearful1535
anxious1548
carking1567
solicitous1570
solicitudinousa1682
thoughted1869
uptight1934
the mind > emotion > suffering > dejection > melancholy > [adjective] > pensive
thoughtfulc1300
pensivea1393
pensya1450
thoughtya1450
pensiful?c1450
pensative1574
melancholy1600
pensived1609
penseroso1813
penserose1831
penseful1865
c1300 (c1250) Floris & Blauncheflur (Cambr.) (1966) l. 168 What mai þe beo, So þoȝtful ase ihc þe seo? Me þincheþ bi þine chire [read chere] þu nert noȝt glad of þi sopere.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11140 (MED) He wex thoghtful and likand ill.
c1450 (a1449) Diatorie 6 in Babees Bk. 54 Not pensif ne þouȝtful for ony sodein chaunce.
c1500 Melusine (1895) 26 In this dolour & woo was Raymondyn a longe space of tyme, & was moche þoughtfull & wroth.
1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer ii. f. cccxlv For her hast thou suffred many thoughtful diseases.
1628 O. Felltham Resolves: 2nd Cent. v. 10 The merry soule is freer from intended mischiefe, then the thoughtfull man.
1651 J. Saint-Amard tr. F. Micanzio Life Father Paul sig. B2v Being in himselfe..of a semblant or meane, alwaies thoughtfull, and rather melancholique then serious.
1731 E. Thomas Pylades & Corinna f. 67v She was now entirely without any Consolation, and being of a thoughtful Temper, and not over-pleased with many things in the Family, grew very pensive.
1744 M. Bishop Life Matthew Bishop viii. 117 Something to divert my Mother and Wife who were both prodigiously thoughtful.
1812 J. Galt Clytemnestra ii. ii, in Tragedies 236 Seeing me thoughtful and diseased at heart To be this offcast from the ties of nature, He ey'd me kindly.
1847 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) xx. 202 ‘Dombey,’ said the Major, rapping him on the arm with his cane, ‘don't be thoughtful.’
1900 Shetland News 12 May A'm dat toughtfil 'at I canna sit to tak' a loop i' me haand.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > [adjective]
keena1000
nimbleOE
wittya1100
smeighc1200
understandingc1200
aperta1330
skillwisea1340
witted1377
intelligiblea1382
well-feelinga1382
knowinga1398
finec1400
large?a1425
well-knowingc1425
of understanding1428
capax1432
sententiousc1440
well-wittedc1450
intellectual?a1475
clean1485
industriousc1487
intellective1509
cleanlyc1540
ingenious?a1560
fine-headed1574
conceited1579
conceitful1594
intelligenced1596
dexter1597
ingenuous1598
intelligent1598
senseful1598
parted1600
thinking1605
dexterical1607
solert1612
apprehensivea1616
dexterous1622
solertic1623
intelligential1646
callent1656
cunning1671
thoughtful1674
perceptive1696
clever1716
uptaking1756
spiritual1807
bright1815
gnostic1819
knowledgeable1825
brainy1845
opulent1851
opening1872
super-cerebral1916
brainiac1976
1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 134 To think, that body may be thoughtful too, and any ways aware.
4. Showing thought or consideration for others; considerate, kindly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > [adjective] > considerate
considerative1641
respectful1650
considerate1700
thoughtful1791
1791 A. M. Mackenzie Danish Massacre II. 118 I could discern a thoughtful kind of pity fill his eye when he beheld the eagerness I displayed in devouring what he daily brought.
1833 J. Kenyon Rhymed Plea for Tolerance (1839) 28 Then of those worldly tribes starts each thy foe,The thoughtful wish derides—the impassioned glow, And shouts it crime—to Teach—and guilt—to Know.
1849 E. C. Gaskell Mary Barton (ed. 3) I. ii. 24 Many and many a time, as Alice reviewed that evening in her after life, did she bless Mary Barton for these kind and thoughtful words.
1851 G. Brimley Ess. (1858) ii. 158 Rich in thoughtful affection.
1863 E. C. Gaskell Sylvia's Lovers I. iii. 58 In his thoughtful wish of escorting them through the streets of the rough, riotous town.
1904 Times 28 Mar. 8/3 The Kaiser's thoughtful act in offering for the use of wounded or sick Japanese soldiers and sailors the German naval and military hospitals at Yokohama and Kiao-chau.
1945 D. Bolster Roll on my Twelve 19 ‘I haven't met many who'd be as thoughtful or generous as that.’ ‘Aven't you? That's 'cos y'aven't bin in the Andrew, see. We all 'elps each other in this regiment, leastways, the R.N. do: I dunno about these H.O. blokes; they may 'ave other ideas.’
1966 H. Davies New London Spy (1967) 23 A really thoughtful management have provided a dog, cat and bird baby-sitting service, and pages who will exercise your pets for you in the Park across the road.
2003 Daily Tel. 6 Mar. 16/3 The judges did not go so far as to say that all so-called ‘skeleton arguments’ should be handed to reporters—even though such thoughtful gestures are bound to get the barristers concerned a good press.
Compounds
With adjectives, as thoughtful-browed, thoughtful-faced, thoughtful-looking, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > [adjective] > engaged in contemplation, musing
pensivec1400
contemplantc1429
musing1530
contemplating1602
reflexing1606
wrappeda1616
musefula1618
cogitabundous1627
meditant1631
meditating1645
cogitabund1649
meditabund1681
speculating1787
thoughtful-looking1827
1827 J. F. Cooper Red Rover II. x. 154 D'ye see that thoughtful-looking, bony miscreant, that has a look of godliness in the midst of all his villany?
1834 Angus Album 46 Soft, on her fair, and thoughtful seeming brow, A shadowy pensiveness was seen to grow.
1848 Home Life 78 A pale, thoughtful-looking girl who had hitherto taken no part in the conversation.
a1849 J. C. Mangan Lay Bell in Poems (1859) 35 He alone is thoughtfulsouled.
1853 Youth's Mag. 1 70 A tall, grave, thoughtful-browed man, with very penetrating dark eyes.
1857 Christian's Penny Mag. (Congregational Union Eng. & Wales) 12 224/1 The thoughtful-faced little lad resumed his duties.
1867 W. H. G. Kingston Foxholme Hall 205 They certainly all did credit to Lochaber, from the eldest, who was a thoughtful-browed Highlander, to Dugald the youngest, a slight active lad of nineteen.
1904 Westm. Gaz. 9 Dec. 6/3 Great, round, thoughtful-looking heads.
1955 Times 7 Nov. 11/6 By no means are they playing consistently the worst football in the Championship. There is still a thoughtful looking shape about their game.
1999 L. Owens Dark River i. 4 An owl began a deep, thoughtful-sounding hooing [sic].
2000 N. Kagan Cinema Stanley Kubrick (ed. 3) xiii. 219 A thoughtful-faced youth pipes up mockingly: ‘Are you John Wayne?’
2003 J. H. Moor Turing Test iv. 47 No matter how intelligent or thoughtful seeming the computer's conversation, revelation of what's hidden in it overrides the conversational evidence.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2009; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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adj.c1175