responsive

adjective

re·​spon·​sive ri-ˈspän(t)-siv 

1

: giving response : constituting a response : answering

a responsive glance

responsive aggression

2

: quick to respond or react appropriately or sympathetically : sensitive

3

: using responses

a responsive liturgy

responsively adverb

responsiveness noun

Did you know?

Responsive comes from the joining of Latin responsus with the suffix -ivus, which gave English -ive. That suffix changes verbs into adjectives, as in suggestive or corrosive. Responsus is a form of respondēre, which means "to answer" and is the source of English's respond. Responsive enters the language with the meaning "giving response" or "answering." Examples are "a responsive letter" or "a responsive glance." Nowadays, it variously describes people or things that immediately respond or react to something, such as "a responsive audience" or "a car with responsive steering."

Examples of responsive in a Sentence

The patient was not responsive to the treatment.

The store is very responsive to the needs of its customers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Research on attachment consistently shows that children who experience warm, responsive, and predictable caregiving develop stronger emotional regulation and coping skills over time. —Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 17 Feb. 2026

Running against McCombie from the right is 49-year-old retired police officer Victoria Onorato of Byron, who was not responsive to us and uses McCombie’s willingness to cross the aisle in Springfield as a cudgel. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026

Which territories are most responsive right now to Portuguese-origin premium drama, and what’s driving that demand? —Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026

Learn about Outside Online's affiliate link policy The Aero Razor delivers explosive speed and a stable, responsive ride without the super stack or the hefty price tag. —Cory Smith, Outside, 15 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing responsive

• hyper-responsive

Rhymes for responsive

• nonresponsive
• unresponsive

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

responsive

adjective

re·​spon·​sive ri-ˈspän(t)-siv 

1

: giving response : being an answer

a responsive smile

2

: quick to respond or react sympathetically : sensitive

responsive to the needs of the poor

responsively adverb

responsiveness noun

Medical Definition

responsive

adjective

re·​spon·​sive ri-ˈspän(t)-siv 

: making a response

especially : responding to treatment

pain responsive to opioids