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

Kanyinda’s goals as commissioner are to fix infrastructure, protect essential services with smart fiscal management and inclusive, responsive leadership. —Rachel Royster updated March 3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Mar. 2026

Rollerblades are great for weaving and are highly responsive to lateral leg movements due to the tall boots. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026

Designed to blend classic building with interactive technology, SMART Play introduces responsive LEGO bricks that react to how kids move, build, twist and play, all without the need for screens, apps or devices. —ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026

Conducted by music director Emmanuel Villaume, who’s ever responsive to the singers, the Dallas Opera Orchestra on Friday gave a splendid display of everything from unsettled hushes to stirring back-and-forth brass calls. —Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 28 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

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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