receptive

adjective

re·​cep·​tive ri-ˈsep-tiv How to pronounce receptive (audio)
1
: able or inclined to receive
especially : open and responsive to ideas, impressions, or suggestions
2
a
of a sensory end organ : fit to receive and transmit stimuli
b
3
of a female animal : willing to copulate with a male
a receptive mare
receptively adverb
receptiveness noun
receptivity noun

Examples of receptive in a Sentence

I was happy to be speaking before such a receptive audience. needed a partner who was receptive to new ways of managing the business
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The protest, which lined both sides of the major Arden Arcade thoroughfare just outside the city of Sacramento, seemed to find a largely receptive audience of drivers. Nathaniel Levine, Sacramento Bee, 9 Mar. 2025 Hobbs released details of her Proposition 123 renewal plan, and unlike her with previous proposal, some GOP lawmakers were receptive. Jeremy Duda, Axios, 7 Mar. 2025 How receptive will the residents of Paradise be to Jeremy? Keith Phipps, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025 Trump, in his second term, is unlikely to resolve the problems that fueled voter dissatisfaction with the Biden administration and created a receptive audience for his populist appeals. Mariana Mazzucato, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for receptive

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of receptive was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Receptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/receptive. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

receptive

adjective
re·​cep·​tive ri-ˈsep-tiv How to pronounce receptive (audio)
1
: able or willing to receive especially ideas
2
: able to receive and pass on stimuli
the receptive part of the retina
receptively adverb
receptiveness noun
receptivity noun

Medical Definition

receptive

adjective
re·​cep·​tive ri-ˈsep-tiv How to pronounce receptive (audio)
1
: open and responsive to ideas, impressions, or suggestions
2
a
of a sensory end organ : fit to receive and transmit stimuli
receptiveness noun
receptivity noun
plural receptivities

More from Merriam-Webster on receptive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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