First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1sensitive
adjective sen·si·tive \ˈsen(t)-sə-tiv, ˈsen(t)s-təv\
: easily upset by the things that people think or say about you
: likely to cause people to become upset
: aware of and understanding the feelings of other people
Full Definition of SENSITIVE
1
: sensory 2
2
a : receptive to sense impressions b : capable of being stimulated or excited by external agents (as light, gravity, or contact) <sensitive cells>
3
: highly responsive or susceptible: as a (1) : easily hurt or damaged; especially : easily hurt emotionally (2) : delicately aware of the attitudes and feelings of others b : excessively or abnormally susceptible : hypersensitive <sensitive to egg protein> c : readily fluctuating in price or demand <sensitive commodities> d : capable of indicating minute differences : delicate <sensitive scales> e : readily affected or changed by various agents (as light or mechanical shock) <a photographic emulsion sensitive to red light> f : highly radiosensitive
4
a : concerned with highly classified government information or involving discretionary authority over important policy matters <sensitive documents> b : calling for tact, care, or caution in treatment : touchy <a sensitive issue like race relations>
5
: having or showing concern for a specified matter —usually used in combination <a price-sensitive customer> <environmentally sensitive policies>
— sen·si·tive·ly adverb
— sen·si·tive·ness noun
See sensitive defined for English-language learners
See sensitive defined for kids
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Origin of SENSITIVE
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin sensitivus, probably alteration of sensativus, from sensatus sensate
Related to SENSITIVE
- Antonyms
- insusceptible, invulnerable, unexposed, unsusceptible
Synonym Discussion of SENSITIVE
liable, open, exposed, subject, prone, susceptible, sensitive mean being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse. liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation <liable to get lost>. open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence <a claim open to question>. exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening <exposed to infection>. subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone <all reports are subject to review>. prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something <prone to delay>. susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable <very susceptible to flattery>. sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli <unduly sensitive to criticism>.
Both liable and apt when followed by an infinitive are used nearly interchangeably with likely. Although conflicting advice has been given over the years, most current commentators accept apt when so used. They generally recommend limiting liable to situations having an undesirable outcome, and our evidence shows that in edited writing it is more often so used than not.
Both liable and apt when followed by an infinitive are used nearly interchangeably with likely. Although conflicting advice has been given over the years, most current commentators accept apt when so used. They generally recommend limiting liable to situations having an undesirable outcome, and our evidence shows that in edited writing it is more often so used than not.
Other Anatomy Terms
2sensitive
noun
Definition of SENSITIVE
1
: a person having occult or psychical abilities
2
: a sensitive person
First Known Use of SENSITIVE
1838
SENSITIVE Defined for Kids
sensitive
adjective sen·si·tive \ˈsen-sə-tiv\
Definition of SENSITIVE for Kids
1
: easily or strongly affected, impressed, or hurt <a sensitive child>
2
: likely to affect, impress, or hurt <a sensitive topic>
3
: understanding of the feelings of others
4
: capable of responding to stimulation <sensitive structures of the ear>
5
: readily affected or changed often in an unpleasant or negative way <I have sensitive skin.>
— sen·si·tive·ly adverb
Medical Dictionary
sensitive
adjective sen·si·tive \ˈsen(t)-sət-iv, ˈsen(t)-stiv\
Medical Definition of SENSITIVE
1
: sensory 2 <sensitive nerves>
2
a : receptive to sense impressions b : capable of being stimulated or excited by external agents (as light, gravity, or contact) <a photographic emulsion sensitive to red light> <sensitive protoplasm>
3
: highly responsive or susceptible: as a : easily hurt or damaged <sensitive skin>; especially : easily hurt emotionally b : excessively or abnormally susceptible : hypersensitive <sensitive to egg protein> c : capable of indicating minute differences <sensitive scales> d : readily affected or changed by various agents (as light or mechanical shock) <a sensitive colloid>
—sen·si·tive·ness noun
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