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attentive — paying careful attention to something or someone; being alert and focused

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: paying careful attention to something or someone; being alert and focused

Pronunciation (IPA): /əˈtɛntɪv/

Example Sentences

  • The waiter was so attentive that he refilled my coffee before I even noticed it was empty.
  • My cat is very attentive when I open a can of tuna, but completely ignores me otherwise.
  • She remained attentive throughout the three-hour meeting despite her boss's monotone voice.

attentive

ADJECTIVE

[/əˈtɛntɪv/]

paying careful attention to something or someone; being alert and focused

While one student leaned back and looked out the window, the attentive girl leaned forward and took notes on every word.
💡 Concept

While one student leaned back and looked out the window, the attentive girl leaned forward and took notes on every word.

AT (toward) + TEND (stretch out) — by choosing to TEND (stretch) his head AT (toward) the speaker, the listener proved he was truly attentive.
🧠 Mnemonic

AT (toward) + TEND (stretch out) — by choosing to TEND (stretch) his head AT (toward) the speaker, the listener proved he was truly attentive.

Using an inventive soup recipe and simple preventive care, the attentive nurse looked after the sick child.
🎵 Rhyme

Using an inventive soup recipe and simple preventive care, the attentive nurse looked after the sick child.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/əˈtɛntɪv/
🇬🇧 UK/əˈtɛntɪv/

🌳Etymology

Prefixat--
Roottent
Suffix--ive

Origin

From Latin 'attendere' meaning 'to stretch toward' or 'to apply oneself to', composed of 'ad-' (toward) and 'tendere' (to stretch). The suffix '-ive' indicates a tendency or characteristic.

Breakdown

at- (toward) + tend (stretch, apply) + -ive (characterized by/tending to) = attentive

🎵Rhyme

preventive
inventive
retentive

🔗Collocations

attentive listener
attentive service
attentive to details
attentive audience
attentive care
be attentive to

📝Examples

“The waiter was so attentive that he refilled my coffee before I even noticed it was empty.”

😄 Fun example

“My cat is very attentive when I open a can of tuna, but completely ignores me otherwise.”

“She remained attentive throughout the three-hour meeting despite her boss's monotone voice.”

😄 Fun example

“The doctor was attentive to every symptom I described, even my weird dream about dancing vegetables.”

📚Related Words

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