sensitive
adjective OPAL W
/ˈsensətɪv/
/ˈsensətɪv/
- aware of and able to understand other people and their feelings
- a sensitive and caring man
- sensitive to something She is very sensitive to other people's feelings.
- Schools must be sensitive to the needs of different cultures, races and religions.
Extra ExamplesTopics Personal qualitiesb2- Horses are very sensitive to their riders' moods.
- I think they handled the situation in a sensitive way.
- This type of situation requires a sensitive approach by doctors.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- become
- make somebody
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- to
- reacting quickly or more than usual to something
- sensitive areas of the body
- sensitive to something My teeth are very sensitive to cold food.
- Young children are particularly sensitive to the harmful effects of pesticides.
- The eyes of some fish are acutely sensitive to light.
- I have become increasingly sensitive to the sun.
- These drugs can make skin extremely sensitive to sunlight.
- Coral reefs are very sensitive to changes in seawater temperature.
Which Word? sensible / sensitivesensible / sensitiveSensible and sensitive are connected with two different meanings of sense.- Sensible refers to your ability to make good judgements:
- She gave me some very sensible advice.
- It wasn’t very sensible to go out on your own so late at night.
- Sensitive refers to how easily you react to things and how much you are aware of things or other people:
- a soap for sensitive skin
- This movie may upset a sensitive child.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- seem
- become
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- about
- to
- able to understand art, music and literature and to express yourself through them
- an actor’s sensitive reading of the poem
- a sensitive portrait
- easily offended or upset
- You're far too sensitive.
- sensitive about something He's very sensitive about his weight.
- sensitive to something She's very sensitive to criticism.
Extra ExamplesTopics Personal qualitiesb2- He's depicted as an insecure and sensitive soul.
- Teenagers are often very sensitive about their appearance.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- seem
- become
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- about
- to
- that you have to treat with great care because it may offend people or make them angry or embarrassed
- sensitive information/data
- highly sensitive documents
- Healthcare is a politically sensitive issue.
- That's a sensitive area.
- a sensitive subject/topic/matter
Extra Examples- Nuclear power remains a very sensitive issue in the Netherlands.
- It is not known how the Russians obtained such potentially sensitive information.
- The information was deemed too sensitive to be broadcast.
- an extremely sensitive question
- culturally sensitive policies
- It might be better to avoid such a sensitive topic.
- She is currently involved in highly sensitive negotiations.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- become
- remain
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- sensitive (to something) able to measure very small changes
- a sensitive instrument
- The eyes can be a sensitive indicator of health.
- (figurative) The Stock Exchange is very sensitive to political change.
Extra Examples- The bat's hearing is remarkably sensitive.
- The equipment is highly sensitive.
- The probe is sensitive enough to detect the presence of a single microbe.
- sensitive to the slightest movement
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- to
see also case-sensitive
to people’s feelings
to cold/light/food, etc.
to art/music/literature
easily upset
information/subject
to small changes
Word Originlate Middle English (in the sense ‘sensory’): from Old French sensitif, -ive or medieval Latin sensitivus, formed irregularly from Latin sentire ‘feel’. The current senses date from the early 19th cent.