attentive
gb/ətˈɛntɪv/ us/ətˈɛntɪv/
B1
English
~ 6400
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
paying close and careful attention
Listening or watching carefully, and paying full attention to something or someone.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is attentive to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"attentive at"* or *"attentive for"* instead of *"attentive to"*, as in *"Be attentive to the instructions"*. They may also confuse *"attend" meaning "to go to" (e.g., attend a meeting) with *"attentive" meaning "paying attention".
Synonyms
alert (Stresses being quick to notice things, sometimes with a slightly more urgent or watchful feeling.)
|
focused (Emphasizes concentrating on one thing without distraction, less about polite listening.)
Antonyms
inattentive (Direct opposite; not paying attention when you should.)
|
distracted (Attention is pulled away by other things, so you are not fully attentive.)
Collocations
attentive listener
|attentive audience
|attentive student
|attentive reading
|be attentive to detail
|remain attentive
Themes
education
|work
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The students were surprisingly attentive during the entire lecture.
- Please stay attentive while I explain the safety rules.
- An attentive reader will notice several small hints in the first chapter.
- The security guard remained attentive throughout the night shift.
Learner examples
- The child is very attentive in class.
- Please be attentive to the teacher’s words.
- He was not attentive during the meeting.
- You must be attentive to every small detail.
adjective
B2
property
2
considerate and caring toward others
Kind and careful to help other people, and to notice what they need or feel.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is attentive to [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *"attentive"* only for listening and do not realize it can also mean *"caring and helpful"* toward people. They may also confuse *"attentive"* with *"attendant"* (a person whose job is to serve or help people), as in *"a flight attendant"*, which is a noun, not an adjective.
Synonyms
thoughtful (Focuses on being kind and considerate, often by planning small nice actions for others.)
|
solicitous (More formal; suggests strong, sometimes anxious, concern for someone’s comfort or safety.)
Antonyms
neglectful (Fails to give needed care or attention to someone, especially over time.)
|
indifferent (Shows no interest or concern about other people’s needs or feelings.)
Collocations
attentive parent
|attentive partner
|attentive staff
|attentive service
|attentive to [someone’s] needs
|kind and attentive
Themes
relationships
|service
|hospitality
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The nurses were calm, attentive, and very kind to the patients.
- He tries to be an attentive father, always listening to his children’s worries.
- The restaurant is popular for its attentive staff and relaxed atmosphere.
- She was attentive to her guests, making sure everyone had enough to eat and drink.
Learner examples
- He is an attentive boyfriend and calls her every day.
- The hotel staff were very attentive to us.
- An attentive mother watches her baby carefully and helps quickly.
- Good teachers are attentive to their students’ problems.
Grammar
Dictionary form
attentive
IPA
GB/ətˈɛntɪv/
US/ətˈɛntɪv/
Syllables & stress
at - tent - ive (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tent)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: attentive
Word family
Core family
attention
noun A2
attentively
adverb B2
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
inattentive
adjective
inattentively
adverb
Advanced or less common
attentiveness
noun
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.