responsive

adjective

re·​spon·​sive ri-ˈspän(t)-siv How to pronounce responsive (audio)
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
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 employees' support of a separation is about a vision for a more nimble, targeted, and responsive Boeing, not only about frustration. Jim Osman, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024 Much like Remake and the ’97 original, there’s a lot of lore involved in the narrative, and while the combat is fast-paced and responsive in a nice switch-up from command inputs of the original game, Rebirth does require patience. Richard Newby, TIME, 5 Dec. 2024 The controls, conveniently located on the rear of the left headphone muff, are responsive and easy for kids to navigate. Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 3 Dec. 2024 It’s got a solid grip, responsive buttons, motion controls that actually work, and an impressive 40-hour battery life on a full charge. Stephanie Hope, PCMAG, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for responsive 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

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Dictionary Entries Near responsive

Cite this Entry

“Responsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/responsive. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

responsive

adjective
re·​spon·​sive ri-ˈspän(t)-siv How to pronounce responsive (audio)
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 How to pronounce responsive (audio)
: making a response
especially : responding to treatment
pain responsive to opioids
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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