What does solicitous mean?
Word: Solicitous
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Solicitous means anxious to make sure that someone is comfortable and looked after.
Synonyms: caring
How do you spell solicitous?
Syllables: so - lic - i - tous
Tricky part: The s sound in the middle is spelt with a c, and pupils reach for an s there.
Watch out for: solisitous, solissitous, solisitus
Memory tip: Use c for care: a solicitous friend shows care, and that c makes the s sound.
Solicitous in a sentence
Example 1: Our solicitous neighbour brought over dinner on the day we moved in.
Example 2: Oscar was solicitous about the comfort of the visiting team.
Example 3: The waiter gave us a solicitous smile and fetched an extra cushion.
Fun Fact
Its Latin ancestor described someone thoroughly stirred up. Over the centuries the stirring grew gentler, and now the word points to kindly concern.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
One of these words is spelt right. Pick the meaning of that word.
1. solicitous 2. dilligent 3. gratefull 4. hospitible
a) always fussing kindly over other people's needs
b) feeling thankful to someone
c) showing steady effort in one's work
d) friendly and welcoming to guests
Show answer
a) always fussing kindly over other people's needs. Hospitable has an a before the ble, diligent has one l, and grateful has one l at the end.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
sollicitous
a) l
b) u
c) s
d) i
Show answer
a) l. English keeps one l here, although the word looks as if it wants two.
Mingle-Mangle
Rearrange the jumbled letters in the sentence to form a word:
The liiootssuc host kept checking that every guest had enough to eat.
a) studious
b) solicitous
c) solitary
d) scrupulous
Show answer
b) solicitous. Ten letters with a c and two i's fit only one of these.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word solicitous as used in the sentence:
Dev was solicitous about his younger cousins all through the long train ride.
a) indifferent
b) concerned
c) attentive
d) thoughtful
Show answer
a) indifferent. Dev looks after the children; the opposite is someone who does not care at all.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which action shows a solicitous attitude towards a new classmate?
a) waiting for her to speak up on her own
b) checking that she has found her seat and books
c) asking her to carry your bag to the bus
d) borrowing her notes and forgetting to return them
Show answer
b) checking that she has found her seat and books
2. What would a solicitous flight attendant be most likely to say?
a) Seat belts must stay on during take-off.
b) Please show your boarding card at the gate.
c) Are you warm enough, or may I bring a blanket?
d) This flight lands at ten o'clock tonight.
Show answer
c) Are you warm enough, or may I bring a blanket?
