pensive
10 synonyms and 3 antonyms for pensive, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Deep in thought, often in a quiet or serious way.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use pensive
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a pensive mood
pensive silence
look pensive
Etymology
From Old French pensif, "thoughtful," from penser, "to think" (from Latin pēnsāre).
Full origin of pensive →Frequently asked questions
What does “pensive” mean?
The word “pensive” means deep in thought, often in a quiet or serious way. In plain terms, thoughtful in a serious, sometimes sad or wistful way.
How do you pronounce “pensive”?
“Pensive” is pronounced PEHN-sihv (/ˈpɛn(t).sɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “pensive” in a sentence?
Here is “pensive” used in a sentence: “She stared out the window with a pensive expression, lost in memories.”
What is another word for “pensive”?
Words with a similar meaning to “pensive” include contemplative, meditative, reflective, thoughtful and wistful.
What is the opposite of “pensive”?
The opposite of “pensive” — its antonyms — are carefree, thoughtless and unreflective.
What part of speech is “pensive”?
“Pensive” is an adjective.
Where does the word “pensive” come from?
The word “pensive” comes from Latin. From Old French pensif, "thoughtful," from penser, "to think" (from Latin pēnsāre).
