THOUGHTFULNESS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does thoughtfulness mean? 

• THOUGHTFULNESS (noun)
  The noun THOUGHTFULNESS has 4 senses:

1. a calm, lengthy, intent consideration

2. kind and considerate regard for others

3. the trait of thinking carefully before acting

4. a considerate and thoughtful act

  Familiarity information: THOUGHTFULNESS used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• THOUGHTFULNESS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A calm, lengthy, intent consideration

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

contemplation; musing; reflection; reflexion; rumination; thoughtfulness

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)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Kind and considerate regard for others

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

considerateness; consideration; thoughtfulness

Context example:

he showed no consideration for her feelings

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 3

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 4

Meaning:

A considerate and thoughtful act

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

consideration; thoughtfulness

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

benignity; kindness (a kind act)

Derivation:

thoughtful (acting with or showing thought and good sense)

 Context examples 

A short pause of mutual thoughtfulness succeeded.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

They all came back together within five minutes afterwards, and Dora's unusual thoughtfulness was quite gone then.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"I am very glad to know all this," said Anne, after a little thoughtfulness.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Fanny was silent, and Miss Crawford relapsed into thoughtfulness, till suddenly looking up at the end of a few minutes, she exclaimed, “Ah! here he is.”

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

More thoughtfulness and less anxiety to please, than when they last met, were plainly expressed.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

At first his countenance was illuminated with pleasure, but as he continued, thoughtfulness and sadness succeeded; at length, laying aside the instrument, he sat absorbed in reflection.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

And, when she saw him in the evening, while she worked with her friend, slowly pacing the drawing-room for an hour together in silent thoughtfulness, with downcast eyes and contracted brow, she felt secure from all possibility of wronging him.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

His gravity and thoughtfulness returned on him in their fullest extent—and he sat for some time silent and dull.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

And that's why I so much approve, said Mrs. Markleham, tapping him on the shoulder with her shut-up fan, of your thoughtfulness.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

He then told her of Georgiana's delight in her acquaintance, and of her disappointment at its sudden interruption; which naturally leading to the cause of that interruption, she soon learnt that his resolution of following her from Derbyshire in quest of her sister had been formed before he quitted the inn, and that his gravity and thoughtfulness there had arisen from no other struggles than what such a purpose must comprehend.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)