# pensive

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈpɛn(t).sɪv/ · frequency rank #45,578

## Definitions
1. Engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep or serious thought.
2. Having the appearance of deep, often melancholic, thinking.
3. Looking thoughtful, especially from sadness.

## Etymology
From Middle English pensif, pensyfe, pencyve, from Old French pensif (“thoughtful”), from penser (“to think”) (from Latin pēnsō) + -if (English -ive).

## Easily confused with
- **penile** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/penile-vs-pensive)
- **pension** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pension-vs-pensive)
- **passive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/passive-vs-pensive)

## Common misspellings (10)
`epnsive`, `penisve`, `pennsive`, `pensiev`, `pensivve`, `penssive`, `pensvie`, `pesnive`, `pnesive`, `ppensive`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/pensive