sensitivity

American  

[sen-si-tiv-i-tee] / ˌsɛn sɪˈtɪv ɪ ti /

noun

• sensitivities
  plural

1. the state or quality of being sensitive; sensitiveness.

2. Physiology.

   1. the ability of an organism or part of an organism to react to stimuli; irritability.

   2. degree of susceptibility to stimulation.

3. Electricity.

   1. the ability of a radio device to react to incoming signals, expressed as the minimum input signal required to produce a specified output signal with a given noise level.

   2. the input, as voltage, current, or the like, required to produce full deflection in an electric measuring device, expressed as the ratio of the response to the magnitude of the input quantity.

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sensitivity British  

/ ˌsɛnsɪˈtɪvɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being sensitive

2. physiol the state, condition, or quality of reacting or being sensitive to an external stimulus, drug, allergen, etc

3. electronics the magnitude or time of response of an instrument, circuit, etc, to an input signal, such as a current

4. photog the degree of response of an emulsion to light or other actinic radiation, esp to light of a particular colour, expressed in terms of its speed

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Synonym Usage

See sensibility.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• antisensitivity
  noun
• nonsensitivity
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• sensitivities
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of sensitivity

First recorded in 1795–1805; sensitive + -ity

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Explanation

Sensitivity has many shades of meaning but most relate to your response to your environment — either physical or emotional. Sensitivity to cold means you’re quick to notice the slightest chill — in the air or in another person’s actions. A sensitivity to pollen means you’re sneezing any time it’s in the air — you just always seem to react to it. It’s the same with emotions — sensitivity means you pick up on the feelings of others. If you have great sensitivity to your classmates, then you’re aware of their needs and behave in a way that makes them feel good. If you introduce a new policy with sensitivity, that means you consider how others will react to it.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sensitivity sensitivities

Reducing that sensitivity could be particularly valuable for people with osteoarthritis, because persistent pain is not always explained by the amount of visible damage within a joint.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 28, 2026

“The consistency points to a possible sensitivity in the hinge tolerances or in how the display is supported during the fold,” says Francisco Jeronimo, vice president of worldwide devices at research firm IDC.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026

"International public figures, in particular, should show greater respect and sensitivity, as national sentiment must never be taken lightly," read another comment on Weibo.

From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2026

The AI achieved a sensitivity of 73%, compared with 39% for radiologists.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 26, 2026

In advanced stages of famine, as the body begins to consume itself, the victim suffers muscle pain, heart disturbances, loss of hair, dizziness, shortness of breath, extreme sensitivity to cold, physical and mental exhaustion.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

“Each age has its own sensitivities, and therefore each will have its own tailored protection level,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

People with sensitivities to the seed have long been vulnerable to reactions from accidental exposure because regulators have not required labeling of the ingredient.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

As Stella said: "It's only now, and we are mid-season, that we are starting to have the required tools in order to be able to anticipate, optimise, and study these sensitivities."

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026

Both Tan and French agreed that cultural sensitivities need to be respected in treatment.

From Barron's ● Jul. 19, 2026

“Chicken, corn, wheat, and soy can sometimes trigger food sensitivities in cats.”

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

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Related Words

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