Sensitive

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /ˈsÉ›nsɪtɪv/

Origin

From Middle French sensitif, from Medieval Latin sensitivus.

Full definition of sensitive

Adjective

1. Having the faculty of sensation; pertaining to the senses.
• 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, III.1.2.i:The sensitive faculty most part overrules reason, the soul is carried hoodwinked, and the understanding captive like a beast.
2. Responsive to stimuli.
3. Of a person, easily offended, upset or hurt.Max is very sensitive; he cried today because of the bad news.
4. Of an issue, capable of offending, upsetting or hurting.Religion is often a sensitive topic of discussion and should be avoided when dealing with foreign business associates.
5. Accurate (instrument)

Derived terms

• sensitively
• sensitiveness
• sensitivity

Related terms

• sense

Synonyms

• tender
• precise
• compassionate
• caring
• aware

Antonyms

• insensitive
• stoic
• uncaring
• resistant

Noun

1. One with a paranormal sensitivity to something that most cannot perceive.
• 2003, Frederic W.H. Myers, Human Personality and Its Survival of Bodily Death Part 2Swedenborg was one of the leading savants of Europe; it would be absurd to place any of our sensitives on the same intellectual level.----