sensitive
gb/sˈɛnsɪtɪv/ us/sˈɛnsɪtɪv/
B1
English
~ 2400
érzékeny, sértődékeny, kényes, bizalmas, éles, kifinomult
B1
1
érzékeny
B1
sértődékeny
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is sensitive to [something]
She’s very sensitive to criticism and takes it personally.
Nagyon érzékeny a kritikára, és mindent magára vesz.
He’s sensitive about his appearance.
Érzékeny a külsejével kapcsolatban.
Some people are more sensitive to rejection than others.
Learner examples
I am sensitive to loud voices.
Érzékeny vagyok a hangos beszédre.
She is sensitive about her weight.
Érzékeny a súlyával kapcsolatban.
He is sensitive to jokes about his job.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'sensitive' with 'sensible', but 'sensible' means 'showing good judgment'.
Meaning
Easily hurt or upset emotionally
Collocations
emotionally sensitive
|highly sensitive
|sensitive to criticism
|overly sensitive
Synonyms
touchy (Informal; more likely to react negatively to small things)
Antonyms
thick-skinned (Able to take criticism without being upset)
Themes
emotions
|personality
|daily life
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Becoming upset or hurt easily because of what other people say or do.
Easily affected by the feelings or attitudes of others, often becoming upset or hurt.
B2
2
érzékeny
B1
Usage pattern:
[something] is sensitive to [something]
This camera is very sensitive to low light.
Ez a kamera nagyon érzékeny a gyenge fényre.
The device is sensitive enough to pick up tiny movements.
Az eszköz elég érzékeny ahhoz, hogy az apró mozgásokat is érzékelje.
Our skin is sensitive to touch.
Learner examples
My eyes are sensitive to bright light.
A szemem érzékeny az erős fényre.
The machine is sensitive to heat.
A gép érzékeny a hőre.
His skin is sensitive to cold.
Meaning
Quick to notice or react to small changes
Collocations
light-sensitive
|temperature-sensitive
|sensitive equipment
Synonyms
responsive (General term for reacting quickly; may not imply delicacy)
Antonyms
insensitive (Unable to detect or respond to changes)
Themes
science
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Able to notice or react quickly to small changes or differences.
Able to detect or respond to very small changes, signals, or influences.
B2
3
Usage pattern:
[something] is sensitive information/matter/issue
They discussed sensitive matters behind closed doors.
Zárt ajtók mögött kényes ügyekről tárgyaltak.
This is highly sensitive information that cannot be shared.
Ez rendkívül bizalmas információ, amelyet nem lehet megosztani.
The negotiations involve sensitive political issues.
Learner examples
This is sensitive information. Do not tell anyone.
Ez bizalmas információ. Ne mondd el senkinek.
We talked about a sensitive topic.
Egy kényes témáról beszélgettünk.
The manager handled the sensitive issue well.
Meaning
Needing careful treatment due to secrecy or importance
Collocations
sensitive information
|sensitive matter
|sensitive issue
Synonyms
confidential (Specifically refers to information meant to be kept secret)
Antonyms
public (Open and available for everyone; not secret)
Themes
business
|politics
|law
|communication
Definition
Important or secret, so it must be dealt with carefully.
Requiring careful handling because it is important, confidential, or could cause problems if mishandled.
B2
4
Dogs have a highly sensitive sense of smell.
A kutyáknak rendkívül kifinomult a szaglásuk.
Her ears are very sensitive and can pick up faint sounds.
Nagyon éles a hallása, és a halk hangokat is meghallja.
He has a sensitive palate for fine wines.
Learner examples
Cats have a sensitive nose.
A macskáknak érzékeny az orruk.
Her ears are very sensitive.
Nagyon éles a hallása.
He has a sensitive tongue for taste.
Meaning
Having sharp physical senses
Collocations
sensitive hearing
|sensitive nose
Synonyms
acute (Often used for senses like hearing or smell; implies sharpness)
Antonyms
dull (Not having sharp senses)
Themes
biology
|daily life
|body
|health
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Able to notice very small changes through seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, or feeling.
Having a high ability to perceive stimuli through the senses, such as sight, hearing, smell, taste, or touch.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sensitive
IPA
GB/sˈɛnsɪtɪv/
US/sˈɛnsɪtɪv/
Syllables & stress
sens - it - ive (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sens)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: sensitive
Word family
Core family
Related words
sensible
adjective B1
sensibly
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
sensitize
verb
desensitize
verb
Expressions
highly sensitive person
1/hˈaɪli sˈɛnsɪtɪv pˈɚsən/
fixed phrase
A person who feels emotions strongly and reacts deeply to situations
Someone who feels emotions very strongly and reacts a lot to things around them.
Examples
- As a highly sensitive person, she prefers quiet environments.
- Being a highly sensitive person can be both a challenge and a gift.
sensitive information
1/sˈɛnsɪtɪv ˌɪnfɔɹmˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Important and private data that must be protected
Information that must be kept secret because it is important and could cause problems if told.
Examples
- The company stores all sensitive information on secure servers.
- Never share your password—it’s sensitive information.
sensitive issue
1/sˈɛnsɪtɪv ˈɪʃu/
fixed phrase
A topic likely to upset people if discussed openly
A topic that can make people upset or angry if you talk about it.
Examples
- Politics can be a sensitive issue at family gatherings.
- They avoided the sensitive issue during the meeting.