responsive

/rɪˈspɒnsɪv/

Say it: ri-SPON-siv

1. adjective Reacting quickly and positively to a suggestion, request, or action.
The company is known for being responsive to customer feedback.
2. adjective Reacting readily to a stimulus, such as a medical treatment or an emotional appeal.
Fortunately, the tumor was responsive to chemotherapy.
3. adjective (Of a system or technology) quickly adapting or reacting to user input or changing conditions.
A good website needs a responsive design that works on both phones and desktops.
4. adjective Answering or replying to something said or done.
He gave a responsive smile to her greeting.

📖 Seen in the wild

The company prides itself on being highly responsive to customer feedback and inquiries.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ responsive in a sentence

The local government has not been very responsive to the needs of the community.
She was a very responsive patient, always following the doctor's instructions carefully.
Investors were responsive to the news, and the stock price rose sharply.
The new app feels sluggish and is not as responsive as its competitors.
A successful teacher is responsive to the emotional and intellectual needs of their students.
The audience was warm and responsive, laughing at all the right moments.
We need a system that is more responsive to changes in demand.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

receptive attentive reactive sensitive quick to react communicative sympathetic answerable

receptive · implies being open and willing to consider new ideas, but not necessarily acting on them.

attentive · focuses on the act of listening or watching carefully, which is a prerequisite for being responsive.

reactive · suggests an immediate, sometimes automatic or unthinking, reaction to a stimulus.

sensitive · often refers to reacting to emotional or physical stimuli, rather than requests or feedback.

Opposites: unresponsive, indifferent, apathetic, unreceptive, slow

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'responsive' comes to English from the Latin verb 'respondere', meaning 'to answer' or 'promise in return'. Its core idea has always been about answering or reacting to something. This connection is still clear today, whether it's a person responding to a question or a system responding to a command.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

highly responsiveresponsive to feedbackresponsive to treatmentresponsive governmentresponsive designemotionally responsive

'Responsive' carries a strong positive connotation; it's a compliment to describe a person or system this way. It suggests efficiency, care, and attentiveness. Be aware of its close cousin, 'reactive', which can be neutral but often implies an unthinking or negative overreaction. In modern usage, 'responsive' is very common in technical and business jargon, particularly in phrases like 'responsive design' and 'responsive customer service'.

Word family: respond, response, responsiveness, respondent

💬 Quick answers

What does it mean to be a responsive person?

A responsive person is someone who reacts quickly and positively. They listen to what others say, answer promptly, and are generally helpful and engaged.

What is the difference between 'responsive' and 'reactive'?

'Responsive' implies a thoughtful and positive reaction, often to a need or request. 'Reactive' can suggest an automatic or unthinking reaction, which is sometimes negative or excessive.

What is responsive design in technology?

Responsive design is an approach in web development that allows a website's layout to adapt to the screen size of any device, providing a good user experience on desktops, tablets, and phones.

Is 'responsive' a formal word?

It is a neutral word that can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is very common in professional settings, especially in business, technology, and healthcare.

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