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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While California’s deep-blue electorate is probably more receptive to AOC than most other states, Newsom’s strategy of courting the far-left carries significant risks, both for this vote and for his longer term viability in a presidential general election. Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025 Streaming services had always supported Lenae from the beginning of her career, and were quickly receptive to the track. Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 25 Sep. 2025 And Spain was beautifully receptive to the film. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2025 Instead, Sasaki was receptive to changes. Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for receptive

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

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Cite this Entry

“Receptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/receptive. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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