sensitive
Americanadjective
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endowed with sensation; having perception through the senses.
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readily or excessively affected by external agencies or influences.
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having acute mental or emotional sensibility; aware of and responsive to the feelings of others.
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easily pained, annoyed, etc.
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Physiology. having a low threshold of sensation or feeling.
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responding to stimuli, as leaves that move when touched.
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highly responsive to certain agents, as photographic plates, films, or paper.
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affected or likely to be affected by a specified stimulus (used in combination).
price-sensitive markets.
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involving work, duties, or information of a highly secret or delicate nature, especially in government.
a sensitive position in the State Department.
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requiring tact or caution; delicate; touchy.
a sensitive topic.
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constructed to indicate, measure, or be affected by small amounts or changes, as a balance or thermometer.
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Radio. easily affected by external influences, especially by radio waves.
noun
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a person who is sensitive.
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a person with psychic powers; medium.
adjective
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having the power of sensation
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responsive to or aware of feelings, moods, reactions, etc
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easily irritated; delicate
sensitive skin
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affected by external conditions or stimuli
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easily offended
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of or relating to the senses or the power of sensation
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capable of registering small differences or changes in amounts, quality, etc
a sensitive instrument
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photog having a high sensitivity
a sensitive emulsion
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connected with matters affecting national security, esp through access to classified information
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(of a stock market or prices) quickly responsive to external influences and thus fluctuating or tending to fluctuate
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of sensitive
First recorded in 1350–1400; from Medieval Latin sēnsitīvus, irregular formation from Latin sēns(us) “felt” (past participle of sentīre “to feel”) + -īvus -ive; replacing Middle English sensitif(e), from Middle French sensitif, sensitive, from Medieval Latin, as above; cf. sense
Explanation
Sensitive describes something or someone who reacts quickly and strongly. It's often something to protect — like baby skin, government documents, or a fragile ecosystem. Anything sensitive should be treated with special care. It can mean "raw or hurting" when talking about a part of the body. After people visit the dentist, their gums are often sensitive because of the way that big angry lady cleaned their teeth. Sensitive people get their feelings hurt easily. Sensitive documents have big secrets that shouldn't get out. A sensitive tape recorder catches all the little background sounds. Now you should have a sense of the word sensitive.
Vocabulary lists containing sensitive
The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 5
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In the Mood? 100 Words to Describe Emotions
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The Watsons Go to Birmingham
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Sensitive and adorable, so starved for friends that he makes a habit of telling his secrets to a llama, this Michael is practically an angel.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026
Sensitive agricultural products are excluded from the new deal.
From Barron's • Jan. 27, 2026
During the pre-trial phase, discovery takes place in a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility, or SCIF, an enclosed, government-controlled room for dealing with allegedly classified information that has supposedly been leaked.
From Salon • Dec. 15, 2024
Sensitive to the rhythms of dramatic poetry, Lange seems custom built for the high-wire lyricism of Tennessee Williams.
From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2024
“Colette always flushes when we discuss the wedding. She is such a delicate creature. Sensitive nerves.”
From "Fever 1793" by Laurie Halse Anderson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
