receptive

adjective

re·​cep·​tive ri-ˈsep-tiv How to pronounce receptive (audio)
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
3
of a female animal : willing to copulate with a male
a receptive mare
receptively adverb
receptiveness noun
receptivity noun

Example Sentences

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 Being an active listener means empathizing with their feelings, understanding their point of view, being receptive to constructive criticism, and learning from your mistakes instead of repeating them in the future. Ingrid Christensen, Quartz, 9 Mar. 2023 Some advocates are also receptive to building in parameters. Matt Stout, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Mar. 2023 But railroads found that regulators in the Trump administration were receptive to their arguments of rolling back rules. Ian Duncan, Luz Lazo And Michael Laris, Anchorage Daily News, 19 Feb. 2023 This may have made Mr. Yamagami’s mother receptive to the proselytizing of the religious group, known then as the Unification Church and now as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, the uncle said. Miho Inada, WSJ, 29 July 2022 And those are good indicators that fans who are exposed to MLS are receptive to the product. Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2023 Several lobbyists interviewed for this story described Stephens as being receptive to hearing from lobbyists, while Merrin, whose backers were more ideologically driven, is not. Andrew J. Tobias, cleveland, 8 Jan. 2023 And the Raiders now have a coach — Josh McDaniels — who is likely receptive to having him at quarterback. Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 31 Dec. 2022 Niederhauser said he’s been working with the governor and legislative leaders, who have been receptive to his pitch. Blake Apgar, The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 Dec. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'receptive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of receptive was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near receptive

Cite this Entry

“Receptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/receptive. Accessed 21 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

receptive

adjective
re·​cep·​tive ri-ˈsep-tiv How to pronounce receptive (audio)
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 noun

Medical Definition

receptive

adjective
re·​cep·​tive ri-ˈsep-tiv How to pronounce receptive (audio)
1
: open and responsive to ideas, impressions, or suggestions
2
a
of a sensory end organ : fit to receive and transmit stimuli
receptiveness noun
receptivity noun
plural receptivities

More from Merriam-Webster on receptive

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