meditative

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'meditative' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a person who is reflecting deeply and calmly, or to describe any action or activity that requires concentration and contemplation. For example: The yogi entered a meditative state, focusing on her breath and deepening her relaxation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A lecture, where we learn the theory behind our meditative experiences, more meditation and bed at 9.30pm.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Though thoughts may arise during meditation, they do not cause distraction in someone with strong meditative stability, but merely appear as movements of mind.

SEP

Although the Sinograph "chan" transliterates the Sanskrit dhyāna or "meditation", and Chan zong can thus be translated as the "Meditation School", Chan was not distinctive within Chinese Buddhism in its use of meditative techniques.

SEP

Some said his new film, another meditative drama set in the Anatolian countryside, stretched the audience's patience too thin to win.

The Guardian - Film

The highlights are Fujiko Nakaya's meditative fog sculpture, which operates between 12pm and 2pm daily, and James Turrell's hypnotic Within Without, which invites you to lie down inside a viewing chamber and watch the sky through a hole in the roof.

The Guardian - Travel

Rather than it being a spiritual quest or an attempt to resolve deep-seated personal issues, I came here hoping for fireworks of the meditative kind.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

His muted shots, which have been published in photography books alongside Thoreau's writings, seem to flatten out the landscape without reducing its meditative complexity.

The New York Times - Arts

Meditative, even.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Worse still, says the government, the Falun Gong has deceived people into thinking they can cure disease with meditation alone, and more than 1,400 have died as a result.Liberally mixing elements of Buddhism and Taoism with traditional martial arts and meditative breathing techniques, Mr Li's teachings are certainly out of the mainstream.

The Economist

The many Suprematist paintings that follow, some jolting, others meditative, are the clear high-point of this comprehensive show.The exhibition combines for the first time the holdings of Malevich's earliest Russian collectors, who bravely protected these works.

The Economist

Where the mood was meditative, it is now maniacal.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "meditative" to describe experiences or activities that promote calm and focused reflection, such as "meditative" practices, music, or environments.

Common error

Avoid using "meditative" to simply mean "calm" or "relaxing". It implies a deeper level of engagement and introspection than mere tranquility.

Linguistic Context

The word "meditative" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something related to, or characteristic of, meditation or deep thought. Ludwig provides examples such as "meditative experiences" and "meditative stability".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "meditative" effectively describes something that encourages deep thought, reflection, or a state of calm awareness. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical usage is correct and adaptable to various contexts. While it appears most frequently in News & Media, and Science, its nuanced meaning distinguishes it from simpler terms like "calm" or "relaxing", suggesting a deeper level of engagement. To enhance your writing, use "meditative" to accurately portray activities, environments, or states of mind conducive to contemplation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contemplative

Similar in meaning but emphasizes deep thought and reflection.

reflective

Focuses on thoughtful consideration of past experiences or events.

pensive

Highlights a state of quiet and serious thoughtfulness, often tinged with sadness.

ruminative

Implies deep and prolonged thought, often dwelling on a particular subject.

thoughtful

A general term for being considerate and reflective.

introspective

Emphasizes examining one's own thoughts and feelings.

deliberative

Suggests careful and thorough consideration before making a decision.

brooding

Implies a troubled or resentful state of deep thought.

absorbed

Describes being completely engrossed in thought or activity.

focused

Highlights concentration and attention on a specific subject.

FAQs

How is "meditative" typically used in a sentence?

The word "meditative" is often used to describe activities, environments, or states of mind that encourage deep thought and reflection. For example, "The garden offered a "meditative atmosphere"" or "She found the process of painting to be deeply "meditative practice"".

What words can I use instead of "meditative"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "contemplative", "reflective", or "pensive". Each word carries a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits the intended meaning.

Is it appropriate to describe a person as "meditative"?

Yes, describing a person as "meditative" suggests they are prone to deep thinking and reflection. However, it's more common to describe their actions, practices, or the environments they create as "meditative".

What is the difference between "meditative" and "meditational"?

"Meditative" describes something that promotes or is characterized by meditation, while "meditational" more directly relates to the act or practice of meditation itself. "Meditative" is more versatile and frequently used.