If you are thoughtful, you are quiet and serious because you are thinking about something.
Nancy, who had been thoughtful for some time, suddenly spoke.
He was looking very thoughtful.
She had a thoughtful expression on her face.
Synonyms: reflective, pensive, contemplative, meditative More Synonyms of thoughtful
thoughtfullyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
Daniel nodded thoughtfully.
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]
...a thoughtful and caring man.
Thank you. That's very thoughtful of you. [+ of]
It was a very kind and thoughtful gesture.
Synonyms: considerate, kind, caring, kindly More Synonyms of thoughtful
thoughtfullyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
...the bouquet of flowers he had thoughtfully purchased for the celebrations.
thoughtfulnessuncountable noun
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your thoughtfulness.
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.
...a thoughtful and scholarly book.
Synonyms: profound, serious, deep, intelligent More Synonyms of thoughtful
thoughtfullyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
...these thoughtfully designed machines.
More Synonyms of thoughtful
thoughtful in British English
(ˈθɔːtfʊl)
adjective
1.
considerate in the treatment of other people
2.
showing careful thought
3.
pensive; reflective
Derived forms
thoughtfully (ˈthoughtfully)
adverb
thoughtfulness (ˈthoughtfulness)
noun
thoughtful in American English
(ˈθɔtfəl)
adjective
1.
full of thought; meditative; thinking
2.
showing or characterized by thought; serious
a thoughtful essay
3.
heedful, careful, attentive, etc.; esp., considerate of others; kind
SYNONYMY NOTE: thoughtful, as compared here, implies the showing of thought for the comfort or well-being ofothers, 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]
OPPOSITE: thoughtless
Derived forms
thoughtfully (ˈthoughtfully)
adverb
thoughtfulness (ˈthoughtfulness)
noun
Examples of 'thoughtful' in a sentence
thoughtful
Patients rarely sue doctors who are thoughtful and caring.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She looks thoughtful for a bit.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
At other points, she props her chin on her wrist for a thoughtful look.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Yet beyond the slapstick of a fictional hotel in Torquay there was a serious and thoughtful actor.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Think of Davos and those thoughtful, caring billionaires.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You melted my heart and your actions epitomised your thoughtful and caring nature.
The Sun (2011)
Praise him when he is being thoughtful and kind.
The Sun (2015)
Perhaps a moor or a beach on which the characters can look thoughtful.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In person she is thoughtful and quietly spoken.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
My advice is to show you are serious and thoughtful about your subject.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Your thoughtful and transparent approach is something we have always valued.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He is caring and thoughtful and takes me away for weekends.
The Sun (2012)
He was an endlessly kind and thoughtful man.
The Sun (2014)
He looks thoughtful and says that maybe he will.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It is much more serious and thoughtful than that.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
They may increase their involvement if they are made aware through a thoughtful approach.
Christianity Today (2000)
He chews at his bottom lip and looks thoughtful.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It was a very thoughtful gesture.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
All momentarily diverting, but you long for something more thoughtful and emotionally meaningful.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He is thoughtful, reflective and wants to take a more intellectual approach.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
She was persuaded by the assurances it would be a thoughtful, educational film.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He was a thoughtful and engaging person, astute and bright.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Her films are thoughtful, touching and send out a positive message.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He is the most loving, thoughtful person that you could meet.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
I was delighted with this kind and thoughtful gesture.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
He is thoughtful and caring.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
No, it is subtle, thoughtful and reflective.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He said: 'It was a thoughtful gesture.
The Sun (2011)
By the end of the third game the Englishwoman had something of the thoughtful, resigned air of an antelope that has been run down by a cheetah.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
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
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
Latin American Spanish: pensativo
Swedish: fundersam
Thai: ครุ่นคิด
Turkish: düşünceli
Ukrainian: задумливий
Vietnamese: quan tâm
Chinese translation of 'thoughtful'
thoughtful
(ˈθɔːtful)
adj
(= deep in thought) 深思的 (shēnsī de)
(= considerate) 体(體)贴(貼)的 (tǐtiē de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
quiet, serious, and deep in thought
He was looking very thoughtful.
Synonyms
reflective
Marek is a quiet, reflective man.
pensive
She looked suddenly sombre and pensive.
contemplative
He is a quiet, contemplative sort of chap.
meditative
Music can induce a meditative state in the listener.
thinking
Thinking people on both sides will applaud this book.
serious
musing
wistful
There was a wistful look in his eyes when he spoke of his childhood.
introspective
I'm very introspective and shy; terribly so.
rapt
studious
lost in thought
deliberative
ruminative
in a brown study
Opposites
shallow
,
superficial
2 (adjective)
Definition
considerate in the treatment of other people
a thoughtful and caring man
Synonyms
considerate
I think he's the most charming, considerate man I've ever met.
kind
He was a very kind man, full of common sense.
caring
He is a wonderful person, very gentle and caring.
kindly
He was a stern critic but an extremely kindly man.
helpful
The staff in the London office are helpful.
attentive
He is a wonderful host and is always attentive to his guests.
unselfish
solicitous
He was so solicitous of his guests.
Opposites
selfish
,
insensitive
,
uncaring
,
inconsiderate
,
impolite
,
neglectful
,
cold-hearted
3 (adjective)
Definition
showing careful thought
a thoughtful and scholarly book
Synonyms
profound
a book full of profound and challenging insights
serious
It was a question which deserved serious consideration.
deep
a period of deep personal crisis
intelligent
philosophical
a philosophical discourse
weighty
Surely such weighty matters merit a higher level of debate?
meaty
This time she has been given a more meaty role in the film.
pithy
studious
I was a very quiet, studious little girl.
4 (adjective)
Definition
showing careful thought
Synonyms
well-thought-out
careful
One has to be extremely careful when dealing with these people.
cautious
Mr King clearly has a cautious approach to change.
deliberate
His movements were gentle and deliberate.
wary
Keep a wary eye on children when they are playing near water.
discreet
He followed at a discreet distance.
prudent
He is taking a prudent and cautious approach.
astute
canny
He was far too canny to risk giving himself away.
mindful
We must be mindful of the consequences of selfishness.
circumspect
You should have been more circumspect in your dealings with him.
heedful
Opposites
rash
,
irresponsible
,
thoughtless
,
flippant
,
unthinking
,
heedless
Additional synonyms
in the sense of attentive
Definition
considerately helpful
He is a wonderful host and is always attentive to his guests.
Synonyms
considerate,
kind,
civil,
devoted,
helpful,
obliging,
accommodating,
polite,
thoughtful,
gracious,
conscientious,
respectful,
courteous,
gallant
in the sense of canny
Definition
shrewd or cautious
He was far too canny to risk giving himself away.
Synonyms
shrewd,
knowing,
sharp,
acute,
careful,
wise,
clever,
subtle,
cautious,
prudent,
astute,
on the ball (informal),
artful,
judicious,
circumspect,
perspicacious (formal),
sagacious (formal),
worldly-wise
in the sense of careful
Definition
cautious in attitude or action
One has to be extremely careful when dealing with these people.
Synonyms
cautious,
painstaking,
scrupulous,
fastidious,
circumspect,
punctilious (formal),
chary,
heedful,
thoughtful,
discreet
Synonyms of 'thoughtful'
thoughtful
Explore 'thoughtful' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of caring
Definition
feeling or showing care and compassion for other people
He is a wonderful person, very gentle and caring.
Synonyms
compassionate,
loving,
kindly,
warm,
soft,
sensitive,
tender,
sympathetic,
responsive,
receptive,
considerate,
warmhearted,
tenderhearted,
softhearted,
touchy-feely (informal)
in the sense of cautious
Definition
showing or having caution
Mr King clearly has a cautious approach to change.
Synonyms
careful,
guarded,
alert,
wary,
discreet,
tentative,
prudent,
vigilant,
watchful,
judicious,
circumspect,
cagey (informal),
on your toes,
chary,
belt-and-braces,
keeping a weather eye on,
heedful
in the sense of circumspect
Definition
cautious and careful not to take risks
You should have been more circumspect in your dealings with him.
Synonyms
cautious,
politic,
guarded,
careful,
wary,
discriminating,
discreet,
sage,
prudent,
canny,
attentive,
vigilant,
watchful,
judicious,
observant,
sagacious (formal),
heedful
in the sense of contemplative
Definition
of or given to contemplation
He is a quiet, contemplative sort of chap.
Synonyms
thoughtful,
reflective,
introspective,
rapt,
meditative,
pensive,
ruminative,
in a brown study,
intent,
musing,
deep or lost in thought
in the sense of deep
Definition
of great intensity
a period of deep personal crisis
Synonyms
intense,
great,
serious (informal),
acute,
extreme,
grave,
profound,
heartfelt,
unqualified,
abject,
DEp,
deeply felt,
heartrending
in the sense of deliberate
Definition
careful and unhurried
His movements were gentle and deliberate.
Synonyms
careful,
measured,
slow,
cautious,
wary,
thoughtful,
prudent,
circumspect,
methodical,
unhurried,
heedful
in the sense of discreet
Definition
careful to avoid embarrassment when dealing with secret or private matters