/ əˈtentɪv; NAmE / adjective
1.
listening or watching carefully and with interest :
an attentive audience
2.
attentive (to sb/sth) helpful; making sure that people have what they need :
The hotel staff are friendly and attentive.
Ministers should be more attentive to the needs of families.
► at·ten·tive·ly adverb
► at·ten·tive·ness noun [ U ]
OPP inattentive
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French attentif , -ive , from atendre give one's attention to, from Latin attendere , from ad- to + tendere stretch.