Attentive means paying close, careful attention to something or someone. When you're attentive in class, you're actively listening, watching, and thinking about what your teacher is saying, fully engaged with the lesson. An attentive friend notices when you seem sad or upset, even if you haven't said anything.

Being attentive takes mental effort. It means focusing your mind on what matters right now instead of letting it drift to other things. A doctor needs to be attentive to a patient's symptoms. A scientist must be attentive to the details of an experiment. When you're attentive while someone tells you directions, you actually remember how to get there.

The word often describes people who notice and care about others. An attentive host makes sure everyone at the party has what they need. Attentive parents pick up on small changes in their children's moods or behavior.

The opposite of attentive is inattentive or distracted. When you're inattentive, important details slip past you. You might miss the teacher's announcement about tomorrow's field trip or overlook the worry in your friend's voice. Attentiveness is a skill you can develop: the more you practice focusing completely on what's in front of you, the better you become at catching details that matter.