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pensive

adjective
pen·​sive | \ ˈpen(t)-siv How to pronounce pensive (audio) \

Definition of pensive

1 : musingly or dreamily thoughtful a pensive young poet
2 : suggestive of sad thoughtfulness her face had the pensive mournfulness of a seraph in an old sad painting— Herman Wouk
Other Words from pensive Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about pensive

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Other Words from pensive

pensively adverb
pensiveness noun

Examples of pensive in a Sentence

… the combination of national crisis and imminent electoral victory creates an atmosphere at once pensive and elated. — Yossi Klein Halevi, New Republic, 25 Dec. 2000 We take in the synchronized swimming of sardines and the pensive patrol of a leopard shark. — Roger Rosenblatt, Time, 5 Oct. 1998 … did not seem depressed so much as pensive, and within a few minutes he was talking eagerly—in fact, unstoppably—about his favorite subject: school. — James Traub, New Yorker, 19 Dec. 1994 The child sat by himself, looking pensive. rainy days often put her in a pensive mood
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Recent Examples on the Web

 The visuals, directed by Alexandre Moors, match the pensive lyrics of the track. — Jeff Nelson, PEOPLE.com, "Miley Cyrus Drops Video for Breakup Anthem 'Slide Away' Amid Liam Hemsworth Divorce," 6 Sep. 2019 Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press Flint Beecher star Jalen Terry sat pensive for a few moments once the question was posed. — Greg Levinsky, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan State basketball commit Jalen Terry working on Isaiah Jackson to join him," 25 June 2019 The white version of California Alps is unexpectedly serious, pensive even — a complex white wine with notes of almond and wildflowers inspired by the Jura region on the French border with Switzerland. — Jordan Michelman, latimes.com, "Forget bottles, cans and boxes: Kegged wine is what's next," 21 June 2019 But, in the days that followed, Quichotte was pensive and sad. — Salman Rushdie, The New Yorker, "The Little King," 22 July 2019 With its dreamlike blues and grays, Sell By looks more pensive than gloomy. — Beandrea July, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Sell By': Film Review | Outfest 2019," 22 July 2019 Levin is long and thin, with an oval face, and a pensive manner. — Christopher Borrelli, chicagotribune.com, "Reagan used her, the country hated her. Decades later, the Welfare Queen of Chicago refuses to go away," 7 June 2019 Dance wannabees take Zumba and salsa lessons while the more pensive opt for aerobics in the pool and yoga in the gazebo. — Melanie Reffes, USA TODAY, "After Hurricane Irma, St. Martin resorts have rebuilt to become bigger and better," 2 July 2019 The track was dreamy and pensive, recalling the so-sad-today pop that’s been a hit on streaming platforms, with Eilish’s voice evoking beyond-her-years longing. — Maura Johnston, BostonGlobe.com, "In concert, Billie Eilish shows she’s ready for her moment," 15 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pensive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of pensive

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for pensive

Middle English pensif, from Anglo-French, from penser to think, from Latin pensare to ponder, frequentative of pendere to weigh — more at pendant

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More Definitions for pensive

pensive

adjective
How to pronounce pensive (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of pensive

: quietly sad or thoughtful

See the full definition for pensive in the English Language Learners Dictionary

pensive

adjective
pen·​sive | \ ˈpen-siv How to pronounce pensive (audio) \

Kids Definition of pensive

: lost in serious or sad thought a pensive mood

Other Words from pensive

pensively adverb

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More from Merriam-Webster on pensive

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pensive

Spanish Central: Translation of pensive

Nglish: Translation of pensive for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of pensive for Arabic Speakers

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