1
Core quality
Showing attentive concern, care, or anxiety for another person's welfare or needs.
Example
The solicitous nurse checked repeatedly that the child was comfortable.
solicitous
/səˈlɪsɪtəs/ · suh-LIS-ih-tusadjective
Showing attentive concern, care, or anxiety for another person's welfare or needs.
Use solicitous to express this relationship precisely: showing attentive concern, care, or anxiety for another person's welfare or needs.
What solicitous Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
Our host was solicitous without being intrusive.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
She remained solicitous about the displaced families' welfare.
Use solicitous Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The solicitous nurse checked repeatedly that the child was comfortable.
Our host was solicitous without being intrusive.
She remained solicitous about the displaced families' welfare.
Precision Matters
Solicitous overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
solicitous
vs.Means showing attentive concern, care, or anxiety for another person's welfare or needs.
benevolent
Means well-meaning, kindly, and inclined to help others.
solicitous
vs.Means showing attentive concern, care, or anxiety for another person's welfare or needs.
emollient
Means soothing, softening, or calming, especially to irritated skin or tense feelings.
solicitous
vs.Means showing attentive concern, care, or anxiety for another person's welfare or needs.
contrite
Means genuinely sorry, remorseful, and ashamed about one's wrongdoing.
solicitous
vs.Means showing attentive concern, care, or anxiety for another person's welfare or needs.
conscientious
Means careful, responsible, and guided by a serious desire to do one's work or duty properly.
Test solicitous in Context
The guide responds with attentive concern for the visitor's welfare.
1
Noticing that the visitor was unwell, the ___ guide found her a chair and brought her water.