Basic Details
Word: Thoughtfully
Part of Speech: Adverb
Meaning: In a way that shows careful thinking, or kindness and care for other people's feelings.
Synonyms: carefully, considerately, kindly
Antonyms: carelessly, thoughtlessly
How to Spell Thoughtfully
Syllables: thought - ful - ly
Tricky part: The gh in thought is silent and easy to leave out (thoutfully). Students also write fuly with one l, though ful and ly together give a double l.
Watch out for: thoughtfuly, thougtfully, thoutfully
Memory tip: Picture the silent gh whispering in the middle of thought. Then the ending works just like careful becoming carefully.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Nani listened thoughtfully to my question before she answered.
Example 2: The guide thoughtfully slowed down so the youngest hikers could keep up.
Example 3: He looked thoughtfully at the chessboard for a full minute.
Fun Fact
The letters ough are said in many different ways in English. Compare thought, though, through, rough and bough: five words, five sounds.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word thoughtfully as it is used in the sentence:
Aarav thoughtfully kept the last slice of cake aside for his sister, who was late coming home from tuition.
a) kindly
b) carelessly
c) considerately
d) gently
Show answer
b) carelessly. Kindly, considerately and gently all go with caring for someone; carelessly means without a thought.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct set of letters to complete the word:
th_ughtf_l_y
a) o, u, e
b) o, u, l
c) o, o, l
d) a, u, l
Show answer
b) o, u, l. Thought is spelt with ou, ful has a u, and the l of ful sits next to the l of ly.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence to form a meaningful word:
The old fisherman looked ytgfllhuhotu at the dark clouds and decided not to sail.
a) thoughtfully
b) youthfully
c) thoughtlessly
d) doubtfully
Show answer
a) thoughtfully. Look for the g and the two h's of thought; doubtfully and youthfully lack the g, and thoughtlessly needs an s.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. If a gift is chosen thoughtfully, the person who chose it ____.
a) forgot whose birthday it was
b) kept your likes in mind
c) spent no time on it at all
d) grabbed the first thing seen
Show answer
b) kept your likes in mind
2. Thoughtfully is formed from which noun?
a) though
b) throat
c) through
d) thought
Show answer
d) thought
