responsive

adjective

re·​spon·​sive ri-ˈspän(t)-siv 

1

: giving response : constituting a response : answering

a responsive glance

responsive aggression

2

: quick to respond or react appropriately or sympathetically : sensitive

3

: using responses

a responsive liturgy

responsively adverb

responsiveness noun

Did you know?

Responsive comes from the joining of Latin responsus with the suffix -ivus, which gave English -ive. That suffix changes verbs into adjectives, as in suggestive or corrosive. Responsus is a form of respondēre, which means "to answer" and is the source of English's respond. Responsive enters the language with the meaning "giving response" or "answering." Examples are "a responsive letter" or "a responsive glance." Nowadays, it variously describes people or things that immediately respond or react to something, such as "a responsive audience" or "a car with responsive steering."

Examples of responsive in a Sentence

The patient was not responsive to the treatment.

The store is very responsive to the needs of its customers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Each event is expected to focus on a different aspect of the budget, such as responsive government, safety and justice, and fiscal sustainability. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 16 June 2026

The idea is to shift sunscreen from a once-in-the-morning habit into something more informed and responsive – adjusting reminders and guidance around actual exposure, skin profile, and daily behavior. —New Atlas, 16 June 2026

The proposal focused on improving outcomes for Black students through stronger family engagement, culturally responsive programming and expanded support systems at schools with large Black student populations. —Uc Berkeley, Mercury News, 15 June 2026

Such sleight-of-hand is commonplace for Anderson Studio, which specializes in designing houses that nod to historic styles but are more responsive to their settings and inhabitants than an actual period house might be. —Fred Albert, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing responsive

• hyper-responsive

Rhymes for responsive

• nonresponsive
• unresponsive

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Kids Definition

responsive

adjective

re·​spon·​sive ri-ˈspän(t)-siv 

1

: giving response : being an answer

a responsive smile

2

: quick to respond or react sympathetically : sensitive

responsive to the needs of the poor

responsively adverb

responsiveness noun

Medical Definition

responsive

adjective

re·​spon·​sive ri-ˈspän(t)-siv 

: making a response

especially : responding to treatment

pain responsive to opioids