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

With Taste Profile, the streamer aims to make personalization more transparent and responsive. —Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 16 Mar. 2026

The plan also aims to boost a culturally responsive curriculum, including lessons on Black history and culture, and reduce out-of-school suspensions and expulsions for Black students by 40%. —Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026

Primary tumors tend to be more immune responsive and may react to immunotherapy better, Overman said, as opposed to someone whose cancer has metastasized. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026

What’s unique about it compared to other skin scents is the skin responsive technology that adapts to your pH to create your own custom scent. —Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 13 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