English Explanatory Dictionary

pensive

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep or serious thought.
  2. Having the appearance of deep, often melancholic, thinking.
  3. Looking thoughtful, especially from sadness.

Pronunciation

/ˈpɛn(t).sɪv/ En-us-pensive.ogg en-au-pensive.ogg

Word forms

pensive more pensive most pensive

Etymology

From Middle English pensif, pensyfe, pencyve, from Old French pensif (“thoughtful”), from penser (“to think”) (from Latin pēnsō) + -if (English -ive).

Synonyms

contemplative meditative reflective thoughtful wistful

Antonyms

carefree thoughtless unreflective

Related words

poise pansy peso

Derived words

overpensive pensively pensiveness
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