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solicitous

/səˈlɪsədəs/
/səˈlɪsɪtɪs/
IPA guide

When you hear the word solicitous, think of your mom — attentive, caring, and concerned. It's nice when your waiter gives you good service, but if he or she is solicitous, the hovering might annoy you.

Solicitous comes from the Latin roots sollus "entire" and citus "set in motion." If someone is solicitous, they are entirely set in motion caring for you. Your neighbors are solicitous if they try to help your family out all the time. Use this word too if you're eager to do something. A good student will be solicitous to appear interested in what the teacher says — even when it's not that interesting.

Definitions of solicitous
  1. adjective
    full of anxiety and concern
    solicitous parents”
    solicitous about the future”
    synonyms:
    concerned
    feeling or showing worry or solicitude
  2. adjective
    showing hovering attentiveness
    solicitous about her health”
    “made solicitous inquiries about our family”
    synonyms:
    attentive
    (often followed by `to') giving care or attention
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘solicitous'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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