responsive

adjective

re·​spon·​sive ri-ˈspän(t)-siv 

1

: giving response : constituting a response : answering

a responsive glance

responsive aggression

2

: quick to respond or react appropriately or sympathetically : sensitive

3

: using responses

a responsive liturgy

responsively adverb

responsiveness noun

Did you know?

Responsive comes from the joining of Latin responsus with the suffix -ivus, which gave English -ive. That suffix changes verbs into adjectives, as in suggestive or corrosive. Responsus is a form of respondēre, which means "to answer" and is the source of English's respond. Responsive enters the language with the meaning "giving response" or "answering." Examples are "a responsive letter" or "a responsive glance." Nowadays, it variously describes people or things that immediately respond or react to something, such as "a responsive audience" or "a car with responsive steering."

Examples of responsive in a Sentence

The patient was not responsive to the treatment.

The store is very responsive to the needs of its customers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Salomon opted for a lightweight and responsive caruba-and-poplar core, with basalt fibers that bump up the stiffness. —Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024

Proponents of the measure said a ward system would allow for more responsive local government by forcing council members to train their focus on a smaller portion of the city of 115,000. —John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2024

Implement strategies that focus on retaining your existing customers, such as: Providing excellent customer service: Be responsive and resolve issues quickly. —Melissa Houston, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

This mattress also wasn’t as responsive as other options, which made moving around a bit cumbersome. —Macy Alcido, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing responsive

• hyper-responsive

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Kids Definition

responsive

adjective

re·​spon·​sive ri-ˈspän(t)-siv 

1

: giving response : being an answer

a responsive smile

2

: quick to respond or react sympathetically : sensitive

responsive to the needs of the poor

responsively adverb

responsiveness noun

Medical Definition

responsive

adjective

re·​spon·​sive ri-ˈspän(t)-siv 

: making a response

especially : responding to treatment

pain responsive to opioids