pensively.

In a quiet, thoughtful way, often with a trace of sadness or concern.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• gaze pensively
• sit pensively

On the page

He gazed pensively across the station after the last train left.

Usage notes

Primary category: literary / elevated general. Forms: Invariable adverb. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Writing functions: character, description. Commonness: moderately common.