A1 adjective Neutral #2,659 most common

thoughtful

/ˈθɔːt.fəl/

Thoughtful describes someone who is kind and thinks about the needs or feelings of others. It can also describe a person who is thinking deeply or carefully about a specific subject.

Examples

3 of 5
1

He is a thoughtful friend who always remembers my birthday.

He is a kind friend who remembers important dates for other people.

2

The committee provided a thoughtful analysis of the current situation.

The group gave a very careful and well-planned report on what is happening.

3

Thanks for the coffee, that was really thoughtful of you!

Thank you for the drink, it was very nice of you to think of me.

Word Family

Noun
thoughtfulness
Verb
think
Adverb
thoughtfully
Adjective
thoughtful
Related
thought
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Memory Tip

Think of the word as 'Full of Thought.' A thoughtful person is full of thoughts about how to help others.

Quick Quiz

It was very ___ of you to bring me soup while I was sick.

Correct!

The correct answer is: thoughtful

Examples

1

He is a thoughtful friend who always remembers my birthday.

everyday

He is a kind friend who remembers important dates for other people.

2

The committee provided a thoughtful analysis of the current situation.

formal

The group gave a very careful and well-planned report on what is happening.

3

Thanks for the coffee, that was really thoughtful of you!

informal

Thank you for the drink, it was very nice of you to think of me.

4

The student's essay offers a thoughtful perspective on climate change.

academic

The student's writing shows deep and serious thinking about the environment.

5

We need a thoughtful approach to solve this client's problem.

business

We must use a careful and well-considered plan to help the customer.

Word Family

Noun
thoughtfulness
Verb
think
Adverb
thoughtfully
Adjective
thoughtful
Related
thought

Common Collocations

thoughtful gesture a kind action for someone else
thoughtful gift a present that shows you know what the person likes
thoughtful response an answer that was carefully considered
thoughtful person someone who is naturally kind and careful
thoughtful silence a quiet time when someone is thinking hard

Common Phrases

It was thoughtful of you

You were very kind to do that

Lost in thoughtful silence

Quiet because one is thinking very deeply

A thoughtful look

An expression on a face that shows someone is thinking

Often Confused With

thoughtful vs pensive

Pensive often implies a bit of sadness or worry while thinking, whereas thoughtful is usually more positive or neutral.

thoughtful vs thinking

Thinking is the continuous action of the brain, while thoughtful describes a personality trait or the quality of an action.

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Usage Notes

Use this word when you want to praise someone for being nice or when you want to describe someone who is working hard with their mind. It is almost always used as a compliment.

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Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use the adverb 'thoughtly,' which is incorrect; the correct adverb is 'thoughtfully.'

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the word as 'Full of Thought.' A thoughtful person is full of thoughts about how to help others.

📖

Word Origin

From the Old English 'thōht' (the faculty of thinking) combined with the suffix '-ful' (characterized by).

Grammar Patterns

thoughtful of (someone) to (verb) a thoughtful (noun) look thoughtful
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Cultural Context

In English-speaking cultures, being called thoughtful is a common way to thank someone for a small, unexpected act of kindness.

Quick Quiz

It was very ___ of you to bring me soup while I was sick.

Correct!

The correct answer is: thoughtful

Related Phrases

Related Words

unknown

A1

A person or thing that is not known, recognized, or familiar. It often refers to a mysterious situation or a person who has not yet achieved fame or success.

of

A1

A preposition used to show a relationship between a part and a whole, or to indicate belonging and origin. It connects a noun or pronoun to another part of the sentence to specify which one or what kind.

in

A1

A preposition used to indicate position within a container, a space, an area, or a period of time. It describes being surrounded by something or being inside the boundaries of a location.

it

A1

A third-person singular pronoun used to refer to an object, animal, or situation that has already been mentioned or is clear from context. It is also frequently used as a dummy subject to talk about time, weather, or distance.

on

A1

A preposition used to indicate that something is in a position above and supported by a surface. It is also used to indicate a specific day or date, or to show that a device is functioning.

as

A1

A conjunction used to compare two things that are equal in some way. It is most commonly used in the pattern 'as + adjective/adverb + as' to show similarity.

this

A1

Used to identify a specific person, thing, or idea that is physically close to the speaker or has just been mentioned. It can also refer to the present time or a situation that is currently happening.

by

A1

A preposition used to show the method or means of doing something, or to identify the person or thing that performs an action. It frequently appears in passive sentences to indicate the agent or before modes of transport.

we

A1

The word 'we' is a first-person plural pronoun used to refer to the speaker and one or more other people collectively. It is used as the subject of a sentence or clause.

or

A1

A coordinating conjunction used to connect two or more possibilities or alternatives. it indicates that only one of the options is likely, required, or true.

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