SOLICITOUS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does solicitous mean? 

• SOLICITOUS (adjective)
  The adjective SOLICITOUS has 2 senses:

1. full of anxiety and concern

2. showing hovering attentiveness

  Familiarity information: SOLICITOUS used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SOLICITOUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Full of anxiety and concern

Context example:

solicitous about the future

Similar:

concerned (feeling or showing worry or solicitude)

Derivation:

solicitousness (a feeling of excessive concern)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Showing hovering attentiveness

Context example:

made solicitous inquiries about our family

Similar:

attentive ((often followed by 'to') giving care or attention)

Derivation:

solicitousness (a feeling of excessive concern)

 Context examples 

“You are too solicitous about him. He is very well.”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Frank's was the first idea; and his the greatest zeal in pursuing it; for the lady was the best judge of the difficulties, and the most solicitous for accommodation and appearance.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Her temper was now shorter than ever; but he had become more patient than ever and more solicitous.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

I rose; I dressed myself with care: obliged to be plain—for I had no article of attire that was not made with extreme simplicity—I was still by nature solicitous to be neat.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

His opinion of Louisa Musgrove's inferiority, an opinion which he had seemed solicitous to give, his wonder at Captain Benwick, his feelings as to a first, strong attachment; sentences begun which he could not finish, his half averted eyes and more than half expressive glance, all, all declared that he had a heart returning to her at least; that anger, resentment, avoidance, were no more; and that they were succeeded, not merely by friendship and regard, but by the tenderness of the past.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Maria was more to be pitied than Julia; for to her the father brought a husband, and the return of the friend most solicitous for her happiness would unite her to the lover, on whom she had chosen that happiness should depend.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Every thing that the most zealous affection, the most solicitous care could do to render her comfortable, was the office of each watchful companion, and each found their reward in her bodily ease, and her calmness of spirits.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

The affair thus happily settled, she was introduced by Miss Tilney to her father, and received by him with such ready, such solicitous politeness as recalled Thorpe's information to her mind, and made her think with pleasure that he might be sometimes depended on.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

It was at that time that mama was most solicitous about my Cousin Maldon.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

And now I come to the principal, the only important part of my conduct while belonging to you, which excites my own anxiety, or requires very solicitous explanation.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)