solicitous
UK: səˈlɪs.ɪ.təs | US: səˈlɪs.ə.t̬əs
adj. showing care, concern, or attentiveness for someone's well-being
adj. excessively eager or anxious to please
solicitous = solicit<to care for> + ous<adjective suffix>
- solicit (from Latin sollicitare, "to disturb, agitate, or care for")
- ous (suffix forming adjectives meaning "full of" or "having the quality of")
Etymology Origin:
The word "solicitous" traces back to the Latin sollicitus, meaning "anxious" or "concerned," derived from sollicitare ("to agitate or care for"). Over time, the term evolved in English to describe someone who is earnestly attentive or overly anxious to please. The root solicit retains its core sense of active concern, while the suffix -ous amplifies it into an adjective.
She was solicitous about her friend's health after the surgery.
The solicitous waiter ensured every guest felt comfortable.
His solicitous nature made him popular among his colleagues.
Parents are often solicitous of their children's education.
The manager's solicitous attitude put the new employees at ease.