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

The court – which has a 6-3 conservative majority − has been largely 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, 29 June 2026

Yet Burnham, on course to become the new prime minister in the next three weeks, may be more receptive — one of his key advisers, former Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane, has previously supported the idea. — Philip Aldrick, Fortune, 28 June 2026

Worse, the veto came from a governor many advocates and operators expected to be more receptive than her predecessor. — Peter Su, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Governed by the ever-changing moon, a celestial body associated with feelings, memories, comfort and our inner world, Cancers are highly receptive to their surroundings, often sensing tension before anyone says a word. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 24 June 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