solicitous Hear it!

solicitous Definition

so·lici·tous (sə lis′ə təs)

adjective

  1. showing care, attention, or concern solicitous for her welfare
  2. showing anxious desire; eager solicitous to make friends
  3. full of anxiety or apprehension; troubled

Etymology: L sollicitus < sollus, whole (see solemn) + citus, pp. of ciere, to set in motion: see cite

solicitous Related Forms
so·lic′i·tously adverb so·lic′i·tous·ness noun
solicitous Synonyms

solicitous

modif.

devoted, tender, loving, concerned; see kind, thoughtful 2.

solicitous Usage Examples

Preposition: for

  • safety: One nearly arrived in the royal box, and Sir Herbert Wilberforce was solicitous for the safety of the royalty there.

Modifies a noun

  • care: First a solicitous care for the body, then Satan tempts a risk of the body.
  • attention: The fits and fasts were the means by which Sarah could prolong the solicitous attention she had received during her real illness.
  • inquiry: A kind word, a solicitous inquiry, a cigarette, changed his attitude.
  • father: Will not a fond mother, a solicitous father, give to a beloved child everything within a parent's power?

Modifying Another Word

  • very: During the first few days I thought she seemed very solicitous to win his admiration.
  • so: The dependence on investment income perhaps explains why the government is so solicitous toward the City.
  • extremely: Or could it be that Abraham was, as a fond father, extremely solicitous of his son's welfare and safety?
  • particularly: Their lashes flash blue or violet, and they are particularly solicitous of male shoppers.
  • equally: Everyone there ( I was the only American ) were equally solicitous.