Word
contemplative
Phoneticscon·tem·pla·tive, stress on the second syllable
US/kənˈtɛmpɫətɪv/
UK/kəntˈɛmplətˌɪv/
Definition
adj. thinking deeply about something. You use this to describe someone who is quiet and serious because they are thinking about a difficult or important subject.
adj. engaged in deep thought or meditation; characterized by a state of quiet reflection. Often used to describe a person's demeanor or a specific mental state.
Examples
“He sat in a contemplative silence after the meeting.”
“The patient's contemplative expression suggested she was deeply considering the doctor's advice before making a decision.”
“The philosopher's contemplative nature allowed him to observe the world's complexities without immediate judgment, leading to a more nuanced understanding of human behavior.”
Examples
simple
“He sat in a contemplative silence after the meeting.”
contextual
“The patient's contemplative expression suggested she was deeply considering the doctor's advice before making a decision.”
complex
“The philosopher's contemplative nature allowed him to observe the world's complexities without immediate judgment, leading to a more nuanced understanding of human behavior.”
Real-World Examples
“I smiled; at times I felt disarmed by the sense of wonder evoked by some pieces and the contemplative quiet offered by others.” “His protagonists have the kinds of contemplative conversations we think we’re having when we’re talking the ear off a stranger at a party.” “We have no category (not in the App Store and not in our cultural vocabulary) for paidia without agôn : our culture has no home for free, exploratory, contemplative play that refuses to compete.” Etymology
From Middle English contemplatyve, contemplatyf, from Old French contemplatif, from Latin contemplātīvus.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/contemplative