PENSIVELY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does pensively mean? 

• PENSIVELY (adverb)
  The adverb PENSIVELY has 1 sense:

1. in a pensive manner

  Familiarity information: PENSIVELY used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PENSIVELY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In a pensive manner

Context example:

pensively he stared at the painting

Pertainym:

pensive (deeply or seriously thoughtful)

 Context examples 

“I have still a presentiment,” said Mrs. Micawber, pensively shaking her head, “that my family will appear on board, before we finally depart.”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"That's the reason I was born in it," observed Jo pensively, quite unconscious of the blot on her nose.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

"I should not like to break her heart," Ruth said pensively.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

“It is in my thoughts,” said Black Simon, still pensively grinding his sword, “that we may have need of your strings ere sundown. I dreamed of the red cow last night.”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"I think anxiety is very interesting," observed Amy, eating sugar pensively.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Agnes laid aside her work, and replied, folding her hands upon one another, and looking pensively at me out of those beautiful soft eyes of hers: I believe he is going to enter into partnership with papa.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)