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

Being receptive to these new requirements should be core for any company. —Giuliana Corbo, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025

The Future of Voting, One Step at a Time As governments and election officials become more receptive to the idea of alternative voting practices, insights from the Philippines' recent national election can guide future elections. —Matt Emma, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025

High fire danger combined with receptive fuels will make any new ignitions or spot fires more likely to become established and difficult to control. —Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2025

In about 60% of participants, the dye was successfully deposited – a promising sign that human tissue may be similarly receptive to this oral delivery route. —New Atlas, 9 Aug. 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