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

• 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

One of Impossible’s strategies going forward will be to focus more on the UK and European markets, which are more receptive to alternative meats than the US. —Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2025

In the eyes of Courtney LaPlante, lead singer of the popular progressive metal band Spiritbox, this revitalization is based around how receptive young people have become to fantastical content in general. —Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025

The program launched last month and the community has been receptive, Suhren and McGowan agreed. —Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2025

In some ways, Smith had a blank canvas, able to implement a culture, with Charlotte’s executives receptive to his ideas. —Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025

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