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Pensive vs Preoccupied - What's the difference?

pensive | preoccupied |

As adjectives the difference between pensive and preoccupied

is that pensive is having the appearance of deep, often melancholic, thinking while preoccupied is concerned with something else; distracted; giving one's attention elsewhere.

As a verb preoccupied is

(preoccupy).

pensive

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Having the appearance of deep, often melancholic, thinking.
  • Looking thoughtful, especially from sadness.
  • * 1748 . David Hume. Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral. London: Oxford University Press, 1973. ยง 4.
  • Abstruse thought and profound researches I prohibit, and will severely punish, by the pensive melancholy which they introduce

    Derived terms

    * pensively * pensiveness

    Anagrams

    * ----

    preoccupied

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Concerned with something else; distracted; giving one's attention elsewhere.
  • I was preoccupied with a deadline at work, and I forgot his birthday.

    Verb

    (head)
  • (preoccupy)