receptive

1 of 2

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

receptivity

2 of 2

noun

re·​cep·​tiv·​i·​ty (ˌ)rē-ˌsep-ˈti-və-tē 

ri-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being receptive

specifically : the power or capacity of receiving impressions : sensibility

her active intellectual receptivity

—Havelock Ellis

heighten the spectator's receptivity to the theme

—Michael Kitson

Synonyms of receptive

Adjective

• open

Examples of receptive in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

While Europeans and Americans often pigeonhole Sauternes, Victor Petiot, restaurant director of Caprice at the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, believes that in China and Hong Kong diners are receptive to sweet wines with savory dishes when they are presented properly. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 21 June 2026

Clark seized on a more gentle course — slightly calmer and still soft with receptive greens — by pulling away late to reach six-under-par through 16 holes. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026

According to Vali Nasr, the Paydari faction has found a receptive audience among poorer, religiously conservative Iranians who have felt the war most acutely. — Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 19 June 2026

Being receptive, easy to work with, and professional really matter to me. — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 16 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

receptive + -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

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