Pensive
adjective
Thinking deeply or seriously about something, usually with a hint of sadness or worry.
She sat in the corner, pensive, unsure of what decision to make.
Often appears as...
- pensive mood
- pensive look
adjective
Thinking deeply or seriously about something, usually with a hint of sadness or worry.
She sat in the corner, pensive, unsure of what decision to make.
Often appears as...
- pensive mood
- pensive look
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Subtle Sadness
Pensive can suggest a slight, not obvious, sadness or concern in someone's expression or mood.
His pensive stare out the window revealed his internal struggle.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Negative
'Pensive' isn't always negative; it can express thoughtful reflection, even with a positive aspect.
After the news of her promotion, she was pensive, reflecting on her hard-earned success.
Pro Tip 3/3Quiet Focus
Pensive implies a quiet and peaceful kind of focus, unlike worry which might appear more anxious.
He was pensive, calmly considering the chessboard before making a move.
Pro Tip 1/3Subtle Sadness
Pensive can suggest a slight, not obvious, sadness or concern in someone's expression or mood.
His pensive stare out the window revealed his internal struggle.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Negative
'Pensive' isn't always negative; it can express thoughtful reflection, even with a positive aspect.
After the news of her promotion, she was pensive, reflecting on her hard-earned success.
Pro Tip 3/3Quiet Focus
Pensive implies a quiet and peaceful kind of focus, unlike worry which might appear more anxious.
He was pensive, calmly considering the chessboard before making a move.
Pro Tip 1/3Subtle Sadness
Pensive can suggest a slight, not obvious, sadness or concern in someone's expression or mood.
His pensive stare out the window revealed his internal struggle.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Negative
'Pensive' isn't always negative; it can express thoughtful reflection, even with a positive aspect.
After the news of her promotion, she was pensive, reflecting on her hard-earned success.
Pro Tip 3/3Quiet Focus
Pensive implies a quiet and peaceful kind of focus, unlike worry which might appear more anxious.
He was pensive, calmly considering the chessboard before making a move.
Compare with
broodcontemplativeintrospectivemeditativemelancholyreflectivethoughtfulwistful
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Video examples
Steve Winter: On the...
Cubs they're still really young she was only four years old mom the elephants have been around her she's used to him but the Cubs aren't really that sure about it so they're little pensive he's
Video examples
Twin Baby Ring Tailed...
easy up here with more protection from the elements and a little more food this troop is particularly large and can devote pensive time to their social noise
Video examples
Steve Winter: On the...
Cubs they're still really young she was only four years old mom the elephants have been around her she's used to him but the Cubs aren't really that sure about it so they're little pensive he's
Video examples
Twin Baby Ring Tailed...
easy up here with more protection from the elements and a little more food this troop is particularly large and can devote pensive time to their social noise
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Faith Prince
American Actress
Half of me is this wacked-out comedienne who will do anything for a buck and a laugh. Well, at least for a laugh. But the other half is a lot darker, sadder and more pensive. It's the dark side that feeds the outrageousness and allows it to surface. I think that's true for anyone with comic flair.
Quote examples
Leon Foucault
French Inventor
Any person, brought into the presence of this fact, stops for a few moments and remains pensive and silent; and then generally leaves, carrying with him forever a sharper, keener sense of our incessant motion through space.
Quote examples
Elvis Mitchell
American Critic
In 'Training Day,' Mr. Washington's dry-ice grandeur - the predator's reflexes contrasting with a pensive mouth - deserves regard, and his powerhouse virtuosity will almost guarantee him an Oscar nomination.
Quote examples
Jewel
American Musician
I'm a Gemini and I have a lot of different moods. Sometimes I'm very serious and introspective and pensive, but other times I'm completely goofy and girlie. So, I like my songs to cover all my moods.
Quote examples
Heart Evangelista
Filipino Actress
A lot of people tell me that my paintings are sad-looking, but they're actually more pensive than sad. They're very colorful and that says a lot about my disposition in life, how I'm very hopeful.
Quote examples
Goapele
American Musician
Break of Dawn,' musically, is still soulful and eclectic, but I think I opened up a little bit more vocally. It's a little more intimate. It's a little more sensual than before - and pensive.
Quote examples
Drummond Money-Coutts
English Entertainer
I arrived at school pensive, introverted, and not very sporty, so magic became a place of mystery and intrigue, an escape for my boyish mind.
Quote examples
Bob Dylan
American Musician
I can be jubilant one moment and pensive the next, and a cloud could go by and make that happen.
Quote examples
Sushmita Sen
Indian Actress
There is a very pensive and intense side to me that even I did not know someone could capture.
Quote examples
Faith Prince
American Actress
Half of me is this wacked-out comedienne who will do anything for a buck and a laugh. Well, at least for a laugh. But the other half is a lot darker, sadder and more pensive. It's the dark side that feeds the outrageousness and allows it to surface. I think that's true for anyone with comic flair.
Quote examples
Leon Foucault
French Inventor
Any person, brought into the presence of this fact, stops for a few moments and remains pensive and silent; and then generally leaves, carrying with him forever a sharper, keener sense of our incessant motion through space.
Quote examples
Elvis Mitchell
American Critic
In 'Training Day,' Mr. Washington's dry-ice grandeur - the predator's reflexes contrasting with a pensive mouth - deserves regard, and his powerhouse virtuosity will almost guarantee him an Oscar nomination.
Quote examples
Jewel
American Musician
I'm a Gemini and I have a lot of different moods. Sometimes I'm very serious and introspective and pensive, but other times I'm completely goofy and girlie. So, I like my songs to cover all my moods.
Quote examples
Heart Evangelista
Filipino Actress
A lot of people tell me that my paintings are sad-looking, but they're actually more pensive than sad. They're very colorful and that says a lot about my disposition in life, how I'm very hopeful.
Quote examples
Goapele
American Musician
Break of Dawn,' musically, is still soulful and eclectic, but I think I opened up a little bit more vocally. It's a little more intimate. It's a little more sensual than before - and pensive.
Quote examples
Drummond Money-Coutts
English Entertainer
I arrived at school pensive, introverted, and not very sporty, so magic became a place of mystery and intrigue, an escape for my boyish mind.
Quote examples
Bob Dylan
American Musician
I can be jubilant one moment and pensive the next, and a cloud could go by and make that happen.
Quote examples
Sushmita Sen
Indian Actress
There is a very pensive and intense side to me that even I did not know someone could capture.
Example 1 of 9
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