pensively

pen·sive

P p

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [pen-siv]
- /ˈpɛn sɪv/
- /ˈpen.sɪv/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [pen-siv]
- /ˈpɛn sɪv/

Definitions of pensively word

adjective pensively dreamily or wistfully thoughtful: a pensive mood. 1
adjective pensively expressing or revealing thoughtfulness, usually marked by some sadness: a pensive adagio. 1

See all 2 definitions of pensively

Information block about the term

Origin of pensively

First appearance:

before 1325

One of the 16% oldest English words

1325-75; < French (feminine); replacing Middle English pensif < Middle French (masculine), derivative of penser to think < Latin pēnsāre to weigh, consider, derivative of pēnsus, past participle of pendere. See pension, -ive

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Pensively

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Pensively

pensively popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 92% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

According to our data about 53% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

pensively usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for pensively

adv pensively

intellectually — appealing to or engaging the intellect: intellectual pursuits.
introspectively — characterized by introspection, the act or process of looking into oneself.
mentally — in or with the mind or intellect; intellectually.

adverb pensively

contemplatively — given to or characterized by contemplation: a contemplative mind.
dreamily — of the nature of or characteristic of dreams; visionary.
meditatively — given to, characterized by, or indicative of meditation; contemplative.
musingly — absorbed in thought; meditative.
wistfully — characterized by melancholy; longing; yearning.

All 8 Synonyms of pensively