attentive
UK: əˈtɛntɪv | US: əˈtɛntɪv
adj. paying close attention to something; alert and observant
adj. considerate or thoughtful toward others
The word "attentive" originates from the Latin attentus, the past participle of attendere ("to stretch toward, give heed to"), which combines ad- (to, toward) and tendere (to stretch). The morpheme tent reflects the idea of mental or physical "stretching" toward something, implying focus or effort. Over time, attentive evolved in Middle English to describe someone who is diligently observant or considerate. The suffix -ive marks it as an adjective, emphasizing the quality of being focused.
The teacher praised the students for being attentive during the lecture.
An attentive waiter noticed our empty glasses and refilled them promptly.
She gave an attentive nod as her friend shared the story.
Attentive listening is crucial for effective communication.
The dog remained attentive to its owner’s every command.