# attentive

/əˈtɛntɪv/ (US) · /ɐtˈɛntɪv/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/attentive
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

listening or watching very carefully. You use this to describe someone who pays close attention to your needs or to what is happening.

For teachers: paying close attention to something; alert and observant. Often describes a person who is mindful of the needs or comfort of others.

## Examples

- The students are very attentive during the science lesson.
- A good waiter is always attentive to the customers without being intrusive.
- The nurse's attentive care during the first few hours after surgery was crucial to the patient's swift recovery and overall peace of mind.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He is attentive for his work." but "He is attentive to his work." — Attentive typically takes the preposition 'to' when indicating the object of focus.

## Usage notes

- Often followed by the preposition 'to'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.