adj
pensive
PEHN-sihv
adj
1
Deep in thought, often in a quiet or serious way.
"She stared out the window with a pensive expression, lost in memories."
"He fell into a pensive silence after hearing the news."
How to Use Pensive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThoughtful in a serious, sometimes sad or wistful way.
Common pairings
a pensive mood
pensive silence
look pensive
Word Forms
more pensive comparative, most pensive superlative
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She stared out the window with a _____ expression, lost in memories.
Etymology
From Old French pensif, "thoughtful," from penser, "to think" (from Latin pēnsāre).