sensitive

1 of 2

adjective

sen·​si·​tive ˈsen(t)-sə-tiv 

ˈsen(t)s-təv

1

: sensory sense 2

2

a

: receptive to sense impressions

b

: capable of being stimulated or excited by external agents (such as light, gravity, or contact)

sensitive cells

3

: highly responsive or susceptible: such 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 (such 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

sensitively adverb

sensitiveness noun

sensitive

2 of 2

noun

1

: a person having occult or psychical abilities

2

: a sensitive person

Synonyms

Adjective

• acute
• delicate
• fine
• keen
• perceptive
• quick
• sharp

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of sensitive in a Sentence

Adjective

He acts like a tough guy, but he's really very sensitive to criticism.

I found him to be a sensitive and caring person.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

There is a princess, Amalia, who by no means wants to get married; the sensitive Prince Bosco, who suffers from identity problems; Aladdin, who has never heard of a flying carpet; and the wicked witch, unable to fulfill any stereotype. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 24 Apr. 2024

Administrations have tended to declassify broad analytic judgments that carry little risk to sources and methods, leaving out the sensitive intelligence nuggets that could allow the source to be identified. —David V. Gioe, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024

That wouldn’t seem, however, to meet G.M.’s own bar for such sensitive information. —Kashmir Hill, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2024

They are typically used to protect proprietary information, financial data or other sensitive information. —Nicole Nixon, Sacramento Bee, 22 Apr. 2024

The policy has noted exceptions for undercover operations and work in sensitive areas. —Alex Thomas, arkansasonline.com, 22 Apr. 2024

This is mostly an alert for agriculture, as these conditions can harm or kill sensitive vegetation. —Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 20 Apr. 2024

Frost and freeze conditions could kill sensitive flowers and crops and possibly damage any unprotected outdoor plumbing, according to the National Weather Service. —Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2024

Other government facilities and sensitive areas may also be off-limits. —Maya Polton, Parents, 12 Apr. 2024

Noun

What This Means For You Anyone can use a hair oil, but choosing one and determining how often to use it depends on your hair type, personal sensitives, and hair care needs. —Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 17 Jan. 2024

The fair is not the place for introverts, neat freaks, sensitives, or anyone who cannot tolerate unrelenting, bone-deep heat. —Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2023

Exercising in general makes the body more insulin sensitive, which helps manage blood sugar, according to Steven K. Malin, PhD, FACSM, a co-author of the study and an associate professor of kinesiology and health at Rutgers University. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 26 July 2023

Once allergies and sensitives have been checked, the serum or cream can be safely applied up to twice per day – generally in the morning and night after cleansing and toning. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2023

Carnival rides will have minimal lights and sound to accommodate guests with sensory sensitives and challenges. —Kennedy Sessions, Chron, 23 Feb. 2023

The helmets are 3-D printed, the gloves are touch-screen sensitive, and the each of the two custom suits is a single piece. —Dewayne Bevil, orlandosentinel.com, 14 July 2021

Observers say this intense desire to avoid error may come from an ingrained cultural tendency toward mockery in social interactions, even in classroom settings, which makes the French sensitive to ridicule. —Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 Jan. 2023

This is the kind of sandwich that inspires the sensitive to feel guilty and the angry to shame others over their choices. —Tim Carman, Washington Post, 30 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin sensitivus, probably alteration of sensativus, from sensatus sensate

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Noun

1807, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing sensitive

• case-sensitive
• sensitive compartmented information facility
• sensitive plant
• sensitive soul

Kids Definition

sensitive

adjective

sen·​si·​tive

ˈsen(t)-sət-iv,

ˈsen(t)-stiv

1

: capable of responding to stimulation

2

a

: easily or strongly affected or hurt

a sensitive child

b

: capable of showing very small differences : delicate

sensitive scales

c

: readily affected or changed by the action of a certain thing

plants sensitive to light

sensitively adverb

sensitiveness noun

Medical Definition

sensitive

adjective

sen·​si·​tive ˈsen(t)-sət-iv, ˈsen(t)-stiv 

1

: sensory sense 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

sensitiveness noun