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be sensitive toto be easily affected by or responsive to something

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to be easily affected by or responsive to something

Pronunciation (IPA): /bi ˈsensətɪv tu/

Example Sentences

  • My plant is so sensitive to water that it faints when I mention rain.
  • Students are sensitive to changes in exam schedules.
  • My cat is sensitive to the sound of the can opener from three rooms away.

be sensitive to

VERB

[/bi ˈsensətɪv tu/]

to be easily affected by or responsive to something

A nurse is sensitive to the patient's fear before the injection.
💡 Concept

A nurse is sensitive to the patient's fear before the injection.

The laboratory instrument was sensitive to a single tiny particle. (SENSITIVE = SENSE + ACTIVE)
🧠 Mnemonic

The laboratory instrument was sensitive to a single tiny particle. (SENSITIVE = SENSE + ACTIVE)

The alarm was sensitive to smoke, responded immediately, and protected the building from danger.
🎵 Rhyme

The alarm was sensitive to smoke, responded immediately, and protected the building from danger.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/bi ˈsensətɪv tu/
🇬🇧 UK/biː ˈsensɪtɪv tuː/

🌳Etymology

Rootsens
Suffix--itive

Origin

Sensitive derives from the Latin 'sensus', meaning 'feeling' or 'sensation'. The word evolved to describe the capacity to perceive through the senses and respond to external stimuli with awareness and emotional reactivity.

Breakdown

sens- (to feel, from Latin sensus) + -itive (adjective suffix denoting a quality or tendency). The phrase 'be sensitive to' combines the adjective with the preposition 'to', indicating responsiveness or susceptibility to a particular stimulus or influence.

🎵Rhyme

defensiveextensiveexpensive
defensive
extensive
expensive

🔗Collocations

be sensitive to light
be sensitive to criticism
be sensitive to changes
be sensitive to noise
be sensitive to temperature
be sensitive to allergies

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My plant is so sensitive to water that it faints when I mention rain.

Students are sensitive to changes in exam schedules.

😄 Fun example

My cat is sensitive to the sound of the can opener from three rooms away.

People with allergies are sensitive to certain foods.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

responsive tosusceptible toaffected byreactive to

Antonyms

insensitive toimmune tounaffected by

Related

allergic toaware ofconscious ofmindful of

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