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Attentive vs Retentive - What's the difference?

attentive | retentive |

As adjectives the difference between attentive and retentive

is that attentive is paying attention; noticing, watching, listening, or attending closely while retentive is having power to retain; as, a retentive memory.

As a noun retentive is

(obsolete) that which retains or confines; a restraint.

attentive

English

Etymology

.

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • paying attention; noticing, watching, listening, or attending closely
    • She is an attentive listener, but does not like to talk much.

    Synonyms

    * reckful

    Antonyms

    * inattentive, reckless

    See also

    * alert * wary * watchful

    Anagrams

    * tentative ----

    retentive

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Having power to retain; as, a retentive memory.
  • * c. 1599 , (William Shakespeare), ''Julius Caeser', Act 1 Scene 3
    • Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron, Can be retentive to the strength of spirit.
  • anal-retentive

    • Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) That which retains or confines; a restraint.

    • References

    * ----