Library / English Dictionary

THOUGHTFULNESS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A considerate and thoughtful act

Synonyms:

consideration; thoughtfulness

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("thoughtfulness" is a kind of...):

benignity; kindness (a kind act)

Derivation:

thoughtful (acting with or showing thought and good sense)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The trait of thinking carefully before acting

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Hypernyms ("thoughtfulness" is a kind of...):

trait (a distinguishing feature of your personal nature)

Attribute:

thoughtful (exhibiting or characterized by careful thought)

thoughtless (showing lack of careful thought)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "thoughtfulness"):

contemplativeness; meditativeness; pensiveness (deep serious thoughtfulness)

introspectiveness (thoughtfulness about your own situation and feelings)

deliberateness; deliberation (the trait of thoughtfulness in action or decision)

reflectiveness; reflectivity (the capability of quiet thought or contemplation)

Holonyms ("thoughtfulness" is a part of...):

character; fiber; fibre (the inherent complex of attributes that determines a persons moral and ethical actions and reactions)

Antonym:

unthoughtfulness (the trait of not thinking carefully before acting)

Derivation:

thoughtful (taking heed; giving close and thoughtful attention)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Kind and considerate regard for others

Example:

he showed no consideration for her feelings

Synonyms:

considerateness; consideration; thoughtfulness

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Hypernyms ("thoughtfulness" is a kind of...):

kindness (the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "thoughtfulness"):

attentiveness (the trait of being considerate and thoughtful of others)

tact; tactfulness (consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense)

Antonym:

thoughtlessness (the quality of failing to be considerate of others)

Derivation:

thoughtful (considerate of the feelings or well-being of others)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A calm, lengthy, intent consideration

Synonyms:

contemplation; musing; reflection; reflexion; rumination; thoughtfulness

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("thoughtfulness" is a kind of...):

consideration (the process of giving careful thought to something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "thoughtfulness"):

cogitation; study (attentive consideration and meditation)

meditation; speculation (continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature)

meditation ((religion) contemplation of spiritual matters (usually on religious or philosophical subjects))

introspection; self-contemplation; self-examination (the contemplation of your own thoughts and desires and conduct)

retrospect (contemplation of things past)

Derivation:

thoughtful (exhibiting or characterized by careful thought)

Credits

 Context examples: 

When the dessert and the wine were arranged, and Mrs. Dashwood and Elinor were left by themselves, they remained long together in a similarity of thoughtfulness and silence.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

I do not know, said he, after a pause of expectation on her side, and thoughtfulness on his own,—how YOU may have accounted for my behaviour to your sister, or what diabolical motive you may have imputed to me.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

In the evening, when they were all three together, Marianne began voluntarily to speak of him again;—but that it was not without an effort, the restless, unquiet thoughtfulness in which she had been for some time previously sitting—her rising colour, as she spoke,—and her unsteady voice, plainly shewed.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)