receptive

1 of 2

adjective

re·​cep·​tive ri-ˈsep-tiv 

1

: able or inclined to receive

especially : open and responsive to ideas, impressions, or suggestions

2

a

of a sensory end organ : fit to receive and transmit stimuli

b

: sensory

3

of a female animal : willing to copulate with a male

a receptive mare

receptively adverb

receptiveness noun

receptivity

ˌrē-ˌsep-ˈti-və-tē 

ri-

noun

receptivity

2 of 2

noun

re·​cep·​tiv·​i·​ty (ˌ)rē-ˌsep-ˈti-və-tē 

ri-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being receptive

specifically : the power or capacity of receiving impressions : sensibility

her active intellectual receptivity

—Havelock Ellis

heighten the spectator's receptivity to the theme

—Michael Kitson

Synonyms of receptive

Adjective

• open

Examples of receptive in a Sentence

Adjective

I was happy to be speaking before such a receptive audience.

needed a partner who was receptive to new ways of managing the business

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

More than anything, Dolphins fans should merely hope players are staying out of trouble off the field and receptive to coaching and fitting in when present at team facilities. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 13 July 2026

Clearly, Ellison and his team are frustrated that California’s Bonta has not been receptive to their pitches. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 13 July 2026

What has really stood out to Hughes, though, was how event producer Jess Rogers, who was contracted by the city to plan the event, was so flexible and receptive to feedback. — Kansas City Star, 11 July 2026

The greens are small targets, but the surfaces are kept soft and receptive, to suit less experienced golfers. — Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 7 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

receptive + -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for receptive

• deceptive
• perceptive
• contraceptive
• nociceptive
• proprioceptive

Kids Definition

receptive

adjective

re·​cep·​tive ri-ˈsep-tiv 

1

: able or willing to receive especially ideas

2

: able to receive and pass on stimuli

the receptive part of the retina

receptively adverb

receptiveness noun

receptivity

ˌrē-ˌsep-ˈtiv-ət-ē 

ri-

noun

Medical Definition

receptive

adjective

re·​cep·​tive ri-ˈsep-tiv 

1

: open and responsive to ideas, impressions, or suggestions

2

a

of a sensory end organ : fit to receive and transmit stimuli

b

: sensory sense 1

receptiveness noun

receptivity

ˌrē-ˌsep-ˈtiv-ət-ē, ri- 

noun

plural receptivities