responsive

adjective

re·​spon·​sive ri-ˈspän(t)-siv How to pronounce responsive (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Salomon opted for a lightweight and responsive caruba-and-poplar core, with basalt fibers that bump up the stiffness. Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024 Proponents of the measure said a ward system would allow for more responsive local government by forcing council members to train their focus on a smaller portion of the city of 115,000. John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2024 Implement strategies that focus on retaining your existing customers, such as: Providing excellent customer service: Be responsive and resolve issues quickly. Melissa Houston, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 This mattress also wasn’t as responsive as other options, which made moving around a bit cumbersome. Macy Alcido, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for responsive 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of responsive was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near responsive

Cite this Entry

“Responsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/responsive. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

responsive

adjective
re·​spon·​sive ri-ˈspän(t)-siv How to pronounce responsive (audio)
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 How to pronounce responsive (audio)
: making a response
especially : responding to treatment
pain responsive to opioids
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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