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

Controls are snappy and responsive, and the Ultra 3 has no problems running multiple apps simultaneously, so the Galaxy Ultra 2’s new chip will need to deliver impressive real-world performance in my testing to win the category. — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 26 July 2026

Like our democratic republic itself, these efforts are decentralized — local, pragmatic, and responsive to what communities actually need. — Brendan Bechtel, Fortune, 25 July 2026

Researchers say fascia and the lymphatic system remain responsive throughout life, with regular movement, strength training, and mobility work helping support healthy aging. — Meggen Harris, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Together, these factors have immense implications for national politics and citizens’ expectations for opportunity, responsive government, and social cohesion. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 23 July 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