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

The gel could also have some interesting applications in soft robotics, where parts need to be both strong and responsive. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 2025

The positive experience of being soothed, whether through calming words, laughter or playful connection, encourages a preference for partners who are attuned and responsive. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025

Altogether, these innovations are making footwear lighter, more responsive, more durable, and more tailored to the movements of the athlete. —Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025

The sensors were very responsive and instantly triggered push and email alerts, and the base station's siren was loud enough to be heard throughout my one-story home. —John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing responsive

• hyper-responsive

Rhymes for responsive

• nonresponsive
• unresponsive

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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