sensitive
/ˈsɛn.sɪt.ɪv/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.46 in modern English
12
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
3
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
adj
Having the faculty of sensation; pertaining to the senses.
adj
Responsive to stimuli.
adj
Example Sentences
- "The sensitive faculty most part overrules reason, the soul is carried hoodwinked, and the understanding captive like a beast."
- "The engine seemed a little sensitive to wet rails, and in consequence the uphill work was not so good north of Dundee as it had been earlier. But I have noted this same "touchiness" on the part of the "A4s", and other modern British 4-6-2s, so that in this respect No. 2006 proved no exception."
- "Max is very sensitive; he cried today because of the bad news."
- "Religion is often a sensitive topic of discussion and should be avoided when dealing with foreign business associates."
- "These are highly sensitive documents."
- "Xeltan: I cannot speak more about this problem; it is too sensitive. Suffice it to say, she has compromised my authority as a diplomat."
Etymology
From Middle French sensitif, from Medieval Latin sensitivus. By surface analysis, sense + -ite + -ive.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: sensitif, sensitivus
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈsɛn.sɪt.ɪv/
- British English: /ˈsɛn.sɪt.ɪv/
Usage
Inflected Forms
more sensitive (comparative)
most sensitive (superlative)
sensative (alternative, archaic)
sensitives (plural)