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Definition of "pensive" []

  • Deeply, often wistfully or dreamily thoughtful. (adjective)
  • Suggestive or expressive of melancholy thoughtfulness. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "pensive" in a sentence
  • "Also in this family of Latin verbs is pēnsāre, as in “to weigh with the mind,” “to think,” as captured in the English word pensive."
  • "She stared out at the night, silent, her expression pensive."
  • "And in pensive but upbeat flashbacks woven into the play's time-traveling format, Lonnie's father and mother (Reid and Quander) lovingly tease each other and their children."