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Synonyms

receptivity

American  
[ree-sep-tiv-i-tee] / ˌri sɛpˈtɪv ɪ ti /
Also receptiveness

noun

  1. ability, willingness, or quickness to receive or accept ideas, requests, experiences, etc..

    The realization of our educational objectives relies on the cooperation of parents, the commitment and competence of teachers, and the receptivity of students.

  2. readiness of something to receive something else.

    When an embryo is ready for implantation, the procedure is carefully timed to coincide with the window of maximal receptivity in the uterus.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of receptivity

receptiv(e) ( def. ) + -ity ( def. )

Explanation

Your receptivity is your ability and willingness to take in information or ideas. An audience's receptivity to a stand up comedian helps to make her performance a success. The noun receptivity is useful for describing someone's openness, especially to new ideas or different opinions. An interviewer's receptivity makes it clear that he's really listening to what a job applicant is saying, and the receptivity of movie audiences can result in laughter, applause, and big money made at the box office. The Latin root word of both receptivity and receive is recipere, "bring back, recover, take in, or admit."

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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.

See Examples For:

Measuring the receptivity of stigmas, a necessary element for pollination, overlapped with the highest number of beetles found visiting the flowers.

From Science Daily Mar. 27, 2024

He also notes that when he first reached out to join the club, he was struck by Braun’s responsiveness and receptivity.

From Los Angeles Times Dec. 20, 2023

“But the big change is the apparent receptivity of juries to convict police officers when they harm or kill someone in the line of duty,” she said.

From Washington Post Jan. 20, 2022

If children’s wisdom and receptivity to images are present, this idealized picture has great appeal.

From Textbooks Dec. 21, 2021

Hence social scientists continue to debate the specific reasons why receptivity changed in Islam, China, and Europe, and why the Chimbus, Ibos, and Navajo were more receptive to new technology than were their neighbors.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

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