solicitous

[ suh-lis-i-tuhs ]
See synonyms for solicitous on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. anxious or concerned (usually followed by about, for, etc., or a clause): solicitous about a person's health.

  2. anxiously desirous: solicitous of the esteem of others.

  1. eager (usually followed by an infinitive): He was always solicitous to please.

  2. careful or particular: a solicitous housekeeper.

Origin of solicitous

1
First recorded in 1555–65, solicitous is from the Latin word sollicitus anxious. See solicit, -ous

Other words for solicitous

Opposites for solicitous

Other words from solicitous

  • so·lic·i·tous·ly, adverb
  • so·lic·i·tous·ness, noun
  • non·so·lic·i·tous, adjective
  • non·so·lic·i·tous·ly, adverb
  • non·so·lic·i·tous·ness, noun
  • un·so·lic·i·tous, adjective
  • un·so·lic·i·tous·ly, adverb
  • un·so·lic·i·tous·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use solicitous in a sentence

  • His solicitousness alarmed her more than positive enmity on his part.

    Mystery Ranch | Arthur Chapman
  • But her father, who called himself agnostic, had quietly pooh-poohed his wife's solicitousness regarding the little virtues.

    Painted Veils | James Huneker
  • Poor Garth, anxiously watching her, almost burst with suppressed solicitousness.

    Two on the Trail | Hulbert Footner
  • Pehrson was a good man, but this kind of solicitousness Baker found annoying.

    The Great Gray Plague | Raymond F. Jones
  • He waved aside Braceway's solicitousness about his strength.

    The Winning Clue | James Hay, Jr.

British Dictionary definitions for solicitous

solicitous

/ (səˈlɪsɪtəs) /


adjective
  1. showing consideration, concern, attention, etc

  2. keenly anxious or willing; eager

Origin of solicitous

1
C16: from Latin sollicitus anxious; see solicit

Derived forms of solicitous

  • solicitously, adverb
  • solicitousness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012