Definition of sensitive
1
: sensory 2
2 a
: receptive to sense impressions
b
: capable of being stimulated or excited by external agents (such as light, gravity, or contact)
- sensitive cells
3
: highly responsive or susceptible: such as
a (1)
: easily hurt or damaged;
especially
: easily hurt emotionally
(2)
: delicately aware of the attitudes and feelings of others
b
: excessively or abnormally susceptible : hypersensitive
- sensitive to egg protein
c
: readily fluctuating in price or demand
- sensitive commodities
d
: capable of indicating minute differences : delicate
- sensitive scales
e
: readily affected or changed by various agents (such as light or mechanical shock)
- a photographic emulsion sensitive to red light
f
: highly radiosensitive
4 a
: concerned with highly classified government information or involving discretionary authority over important policy matters
- sensitive documents
b
: calling for tact, care, or caution in treatment : touchy
- a sensitive issue like race relations
5
: having or showing concern for a specified matter
—usually used in combination
- a price-sensitive customer
- environmentally sensitive policies
—
sensitively
adverb
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