What does solicitousness mean?
Solicitousness means attentive and considerate concern for the wishes, needs, or well-being of others. In modern English, it most often describes behaviour that is watchful, thoughtful, and generous: a host showing solicitousness toward guests, for example, or a nurse providing quiet, attentive care. The word is more formal than everyday alternatives such as thoughtfulness or attentiveness, and it may sound especially appropriate when describing courtesy, hospitality, or meticulous concern for another person's circumstances. In older or more literary contexts, solicitousness can also imply anxious worry rather than simply thoughtful attention. Its unusual sound immediately signals a polished and somewhat elevated register, making it useful when dignity and precise nuance matter. The noun names the quality itself, while the closely related adjective solicitous describes a person or action displaying that quality.
nounThe quality of being attentive and considerate of another person's wishes, needs, or well-being. It can also refer more formally to anxious concern or care.
- Attentive consideration for another person's wishes, needs, or well-being.
- Anxious concern or worry, especially in formal or literary use.
"Her solicitousness toward the children ensured that every detail of their holiday was looked after."
"The nurse's quiet solicitousness made the anxious patient feel safe."
"His solicitousness about every detail of the ceremony reflected his deep concern for the guests."
Normally used as an uncountable noun and does not require a plural.
"He showed great solicitness toward every member of the family."
Solicitousness descends from the Latin sollicitare, meaning “to worry” or “entreat,” so even its courteous sense retains a trace of anxious care.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does solicitousness come from?
Solicitousness derives through English solicitous from Latin sollicitus, meaning anxious, concerned, or attentive. That adjective came from sollicitare, a verb meaning “to worry,” “disturb,” or “entreat.” English developed several related forms, including solicit, solicitous, solicitously, solicitation, solicitor, and solicititude, all sharing this Latin concern with attention, urgency, or entreaty.
Related word forms
How solicitousness is actually used
The word is formal and relatively uncommon. It usually carries a positive sense of thoughtful attentiveness, although its rarer literary use can suggest worry or anxious care.
Easily confused with solicitousness
Solicitous is the adjective describing attentive consideration for someone, whereas solicitousness is the noun naming that quality.