sensitive

[sen-si-tiv]

adjective

1. endowed with sensation; having perception through the senses.

2. readily or excessively affected by external agencies or influences.

3. having acute mental or emotional sensibility; aware of and responsive to the feelings of others.

4. easily pained, annoyed, etc.

5. pertaining to or connected with the senses or sensation.

6. Physiology.,  having a low threshold of sensation or feeling.

7. responding to stimuli, as leaves that move when touched.

8. highly responsive to certain agents, as photographic plates, films, or paper.

9. affected or likely to be affected by a specified stimulus (used in combination).

   price-sensitive markets.

10. involving work, duties, or information of a highly secret or delicate nature, especially in government.

    a sensitive position in the State Department.

11. requiring tact or caution; delicate; touchy.

    a sensitive topic.

12. constructed to indicate, measure, or be affected by small amounts or changes, as a balance or thermometer.

13. Radio.,  easily affected by external influences, especially by radio waves.

noun

1. a person who is sensitive.

2. a person with psychic powers; medium.

sensitive

/ ˈsɛnsɪtɪv /

adjective

1. having the power of sensation

2. responsive to or aware of feelings, moods, reactions, etc

3. easily irritated; delicate

   sensitive skin

4. affected by external conditions or stimuli

5. easily offended

6. of or relating to the senses or the power of sensation

7. capable of registering small differences or changes in amounts, quality, etc

   a sensitive instrument

8. photog having a high sensitivity

   a sensitive emulsion

9. connected with matters affecting national security, esp through access to classified information

10. (of a stock market or prices) quickly responsive to external influences and thus fluctuating or tending to fluctuate

Other Word Forms

• sensitively adverb
• nonsensitive adjective
• nonsensitively adverb
• nonsensitiveness noun
• ultrasensitive adjective
• ultrasensitively adverb
• unsensitive adjective
• unsensitively adverb
• unsensitiveness noun
• sensitiveness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sensitive¹

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; sense

Word History and Origins

Origin of sensitive¹

C14: from Medieval Latin sēnsitīvus, from Latin sentīre to feel

Example Sentences

The light, as much as it exists in this series, shines through Hahn’s sensitive work as Dominick’s ex-wife Dessa and the welcome breath of comedy Rob Huebel lends to Leo, Dominick’s mischievous best friend.

From Salon

Young people have smaller bodies and their brains are still developing, which can make them more sensitive to caffeine, say experts.

From BBC

The company, however, did acknowledge "there have been moments where our systems did not behave as intended in sensitive situations".

From BBC

We had always known the story was sensitive but even so, we were surprised by the Libyan reaction.

From BBC

"I'm a little sensitive, I don't want to cry - I had so much fun out here," she said.

From BBC

Related Words

• conscious 
• delicate 
• emotional 
• hypersensitive 
• keen 
• nervous 
• perceptive 
• precise 
• receptive 
• responsive 
• susceptible 
• tense 
• touchy 
• tricky 
• unstable