thoughtfulness

/ˈθɑtfəlnɪs/

/ˈθɔtfəlnɛs/

Other forms: thoughtfulnesses

Someone who considers other people's feelings has the quality of thoughtfulness. It takes real thoughtfulness to comfort a friend who's recently lost his pet cat.

When you remember to bring doughnuts for everyone at work, that's thoughtfulness, and it's thoughtfulness that inspires you to send your grandmother a thank you note for your birthday gift. Another kind of thoughtfulness describes deliberate thinking before doing something. It might, for example, require some thoughtfulness to figure out how to hook up your new TV. The word comes from the adjective thoughtful, which originally meant "moody or anxious," but came to mean "considerate" in the 1850's.

Definitions of thoughtfulness

1. noun

   kind and considerate regard for others
   synonyms: considerateness, consideration

   antonyms:

   thoughtlessness

   the quality of failing to be considerate of others

   types:

   attentiveness

   the trait of being considerate and thoughtful of others

   tact, tactfulness

   consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense

   delicacy, diplomacy, discreetness, finesse

   subtly skillful handling of a situation

   address, savoir-faire

   social skill

   type of:

   kindness

   the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic
2. noun

   the trait of thinking carefully before acting
   antonyms:

   unthoughtfulness

   the trait of not thinking carefully before acting

   types:

   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

   intentionality

   expressive of intentions

   type of:

   trait

   a distinguishing feature of your personal nature
3. noun

   a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
   synonyms: contemplation, musing, reflection, reflexion, rumination

   types:

   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

   lucubration

   laborious cogitation

   self-analysis, soul-searching

   a penetrating examination of your own beliefs and motives

   examen, examination

   a detailed inspection of your conscience (as done daily by Jesuits)

   type of:

   consideration

   the process of giving careful thought to something
4. noun

   a considerate and thoughtful act
   synonyms: consideration

   type of:

   benignity, kindness

   a kind act