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

Colors look lively, contrast is solid, and gaming feels smooth thanks to responsive input handling. —PC Magazine, 15 Nov. 2025

Heart muscle cells appeared more responsive to cues from other nearby cells, especially endothelial cells that line blood vessels. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Nov. 2025

Designing change this way—small but whole, premium in feel, and responsive to real needs—creates momentum that lasts. —Phil Gilbert, Fortune, 12 Nov. 2025

Prior to the 2010s, shoes had been either cushioned or responsive, either light and low or thick, heavy, and protective. —Dean Stattmann, Outside, 11 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing responsive

• hyper-responsive

Rhymes for responsive

• nonresponsive
• unresponsive

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

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