contemplative

1 of 2

adjective

con·​tem·​pla·​tive kən-ˈtem-plə-tiv How to pronounce contemplative (audio)
ˈkän-təm-ˌplā-,
-ˌtem- How to pronounce contemplative (audio)
: 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

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
Together with Chan’s team three themes were decided upon for the arranging of the jewelry and contemplative art objects in the exhibition. Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024 Springsteen, now 74, is feeling nostalgic, contemplative, appreciative and a little bit melancholy. Karen Bliss, Billboard, 9 Sep. 2024
Noun
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 His people were Southern farmers, moody, contemplative, industrious, colored. Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for contemplative 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contemplative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of contemplative was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near contemplative

Cite this Entry

“Contemplative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contemplative. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on contemplative

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