contemplative

1 of 2

adjective

con·​tem·​pla·​tive kən-ˈtem-plə-tiv 

ˈkän-təm-ˌplā-,

-ˌtem- 

: marked by or given to contemplation

specifically : of or relating to a religious order devoted to prayer and penance

a contemplative order of nuns

contemplatively adverb

contemplativeness noun

contemplative

2 of 2

noun

: a person who practices contemplation

Synonyms

Adjective

• broody
• cogitative
• meditative
• melancholy
• musing
• pensive
• reflective
• ruminant
• ruminative
• thoughtful

Examples of contemplative in a Sentence

Adjective

He has lived a quiet, contemplative life.

She joined a contemplative order of nuns.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The wild card who ultimately upends the conclave is the mysterious and contemplative Cardinal Benitez (Carlos Diehz), who arrives late to the proceedings. —Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024

Indeed, one marvels at how often the protesters for Palestine have been treated like the freshman reader of Lolita who, lacking the niceties of the contemplative attitude, objects to all that business with the pedophile. —Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024

Noun

On a wall of her office, a painting depicted Chavez looking contemplative, with a desert road behind him. —Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2024

Read the full Sagittarius Daily Horoscope Capricorn (December 21 - January 19) Feeling contemplative, but don’t want to sit there? —USA TODAY, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English contemplatif "devoted to or concerned with spiritual meditation," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin contemplātīvus, going back to Latin, "theoretical, speculative," from contemplātus, past participle of contemplāre, contemplārī "to look at fixedly, observe, notice, ponder" + -īvus -ive — more at contemplate

Noun

Middle English contemplatyfe "person devoted to spiritual meditation," borrowed from Medieval Latin contemplātīvus, noun derivative of contemplātīvus "devoted to or concerned with spiritual meditation" — more at contemplative entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

contemplative

adjective

con·​tem·​pla·​tive

kən-ˈtem-plət-iv;

ˈkänt-əm-ˌplāt-,

ˈkän-ˌtem-

: involving or devoted to contemplation : meditative

the contemplative life

contemplatively adverb

contemplativeness noun