considerate

considerate — adjective

1. A considerate person thinks about how their actions might affect other people, a

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

A considerate person thinks about how their actions might affect other people, and chooses to behave in a way that avoids causing trouble or discomfort for them.

Example

Ife's considerate nature meant she always asked her guests what they would like to eat.

collocation: considerate nature

João left a note so the late-night noise would not worry his roommate.

implicit: action showing consideration for others' comfort

Common collocations
  • considerate of others
  • considerate towards someone
  • considerate nature
  • considerate gesture
  • considerate act
  • considerate behaviour
  • considerate words
Synonyms
  • thoughtful

    closest synonym; interchangeable in most everyday contexts, but 'thoughtful' can also mean 'showing careful planning'

  • kind

    broader in meaning; covers generosity and warmth beyond simply avoiding trouble for others

  • attentive

    stresses active notice and response to someone's needs, often in a caregiving or service setting

  • understanding

    emphasises empathy and willingness to see things from another person's point of view

Antonyms
  • inconsiderate

    direct opposite; acting without regard for others' feelings or convenience

  • selfish

    focuses on putting one's own needs ahead of others', rather than simply ignoring their needs

Grammar Patterns

it + be + considerate + of + someone + to-infinitive

Usage Note

Frequently found in the construction 'it is considerate of someone to do something', which comments on an action as kind or thoughtful. Also commonly paired with nouns such as nature, gesture, act, or word to describe a person's behaviour.

Common Mistakes

He received a considerate amount of money.
He received a considerable amount of money.
'considerable' means large in amount; 'considerate' means thoughtful toward others.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Thoughtful is the closest match to considerate and can be used in almost the same situations — a thoughtful gesture and a considerate gesture mean very similar things. Kind is broader: you can be kind by donating money to a cause, but that action may not be considerate if it ignores the recipient's actual wishes. Attentive highlights active noticing of someone's needs, especially in roles such as a nurse or a waiter. Understanding focuses on empathetic awareness of someone's situation or feelings rather than on specific helpful actions. For example, an understanding boss listens to your personal problems, while a considerate boss adjusts your workload so you can manage.

thoughtful ↗kind ↗attentive ↗understanding ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • considerate of others
  • considerate of someone's feelings

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Considerate comes from Latin consideratus, meaning 'well-considered' or 'deliberate', the past participle of considerare ('to look at closely, examine'). The word entered English in the 1500s carrying this careful-thought meaning. By the 1700s it had broadened to include being careful of other people's feelings — the sense that is now the most common use.