responsive

[ri-spon-siv]

adjective

1. responding especially readily and sympathetically to appeals, efforts, influences, etc..

   a responsive government.

   Synonyms: sympathetic, understanding, receptive

2. Physiology.,  acting in response, as to some stimulus.

3. characterized by the use of responses.

   responsive worship.

responsive

/ rɪˈspɒnsɪv /

adjective

1. reacting or replying quickly or favourably, as to a suggestion, initiative, etc

2. (of an organism) reacting to a stimulus

Other Word Forms

• responsively adverb
• hyperresponsive adjective
• hyperresponsively adverb
• hyperresponsiveness noun
• nonresponsive adjective
• nonresponsively adverb
• quasi-responsive adjective
• quasi-responsively adverb
• unresponsive adjective
• unresponsively adverb
• unresponsiveness noun
• responsiveness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of responsive¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Late Latin word respōnsīvus. See response, -ive

Example Sentences

Their light sensitivity could support future technologies that rely on optical signals instead of electrical currents, including faster and cooler computer chips, highly responsive sensors and flexible optoelectronic systems.

Read more on Science Daily

He was surprised that Charlie and Jamie, both now so alive to the possibility of dramatic change in the financial markets, were less alert and responsive to the possibilities outside those markets.

Read more on Literature

They embody what democracy should be: fluid, responsive and rooted in lived experience.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The device features a larger, more responsive screen with enhanced graphics performance, and players can chat or share their game screen with friends online.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The doorman and a few members of the maintenance staff dashed upstairs to find that Sasha still wasn’t responsive.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• active 
• aware 
• compassionate 
• conscious 
• reactive 
• receptive 
• sensible 
• sensitive 
• susceptible 
• sympathetic