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

Leading fashion players today are compressing timelines by digitizing workflows, integrating cross-functional teams and creating responsive product ecosystems that mirror real-time consumer behavior. —Sandeep Kumar, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven recently revealed its responsive grant awards for 2025 as regional and state-based organizations are reacting to cuts and changes made by federal funding agencies. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2025

According to the partners, this sensor suite, combined with a platform capable of supersonic speed, high-altitude flight, quick turnaround time, and the ability to operate from conventional runways, makes for a quick, responsive way to monitor sudden appearances of low-flying spacecraft. —David Szondy august 07, New Atlas, 7 Aug. 2025

But popular opinion may not matter, because Netanyahu is not responsive to popular opinion. —Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 7 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing responsive

• hyper-responsive

Rhymes for responsive

• nonresponsive
• unresponsive

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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