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 district would not say if Davis has faced any disciplinary action related to the allegations, and a FOIA request for any records of disciplinary action between 2020 and today did not pull up any responsive records. —Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026

The firm submitted the lowest responsive bid out of the six that were received, according to board documents. —arkansasonline.com, 8 Mar. 2026

When women participate in political life—as voters, candidates, and decision-makers—institutions become more representative and responsive. —Celina Stewart, Time, 8 Mar. 2026

Brahms, of all composers, benefits from a certain reserve, especially in a hall so acoustically responsive — indeed, reinforcing — as the Meyerson. —Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 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