attentively

[ uh-ten-tiv-lee ]

adverb

1. while giving attention; observantly:

   Please listen attentively.

2. while thoughtfully attending to others; politely; courteously:

   Our stay was attentively organized by the director.

Word History and Origins

Origin of attentively¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; Middle English; attentive ( def ) + -ly ( def )

Example Sentences

I found myself at times closing my eyes and listening attentively, as though to a radio drama.

From Los Angeles Times

Chairman Adam Cohn began attending hearings, sitting attentively in the gallery as attorney Louis “Skip” Miller assured the court the school earnestly wanted to reach a settlement.

From Los Angeles Times

She added that Gordon Lyons "listened attentively and said he had our back".

From BBC

Ty attended, hovering in the back, emerging after everyone left to attentively help load my car.

From Los Angeles Times

I would eat my cheese puffs on the couch and stare attentively at the glowing TV, with the business of the building in my periphery.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anxiously
• conscientiously
• correctly
• deliberately
• delicately
• discreetly
• faithfully
• fully
• gingerly
• laboriously
• meticulously
• precisely
• prudently
• rigorously
• scrupulously
• thoroughly
• thoughtfully
• warily