receptive

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

Synonyms of receptive

• open

Examples of receptive in a Sentence

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

Supreme Court has been receptive to Trump's appeals The court – which has a 6-3 conservative majority − has been overwhelmingly receptive to Trump’s appeals of challenges to his actions as president, often allowing controversial policies to move forward while they’re being litigated. —Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026

The administration has signaled its intent to continue appealing unfavorable trial court decisions, with legal experts noting that key provisions of administration executive orders had faced receptive audiences in higher courts. —Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026

My bosses, including Beto Perez (Zumba founder), have been incredibly receptive and are always looking for innovation and ways to do things better. —Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 29 Jan. 2026

Johnson was receptive to creating a new Hall of Fame when propositioned by Barstool founder Dave Portnoy. —Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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