sensitive
gb/sˈɛnsɪtɪv/ us/sˈɛnsɪtɪv/
B1
English
~ 2400
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Easily hurt or upset emotionally
Becoming upset or hurt easily because of what other people say or do.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is sensitive to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'sensitive' with 'sensible', but 'sensible' means 'showing good judgment'.
Synonyms
touchy (Informal; more likely to react negatively to small things)
Antonyms
thick-skinned (Able to take criticism without being upset)
Collocations
emotionally sensitive
|highly sensitive
|sensitive to criticism
|overly sensitive
Themes
emotions
|personality
|daily life
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She’s very sensitive to criticism and takes it personally.
- He’s sensitive about his appearance.
- Some people are more sensitive to rejection than others.
Learner examples
- I am sensitive to loud voices.
- She is sensitive about her weight.
- He is sensitive to jokes about his job.
adjective
B2
property
2
Quick to notice or react to small changes
Able to notice or react quickly to small changes or differences.
Usage pattern:
[something] is sensitive to [something]
Synonyms
responsive (General term for reacting quickly; may not imply delicacy)
Antonyms
insensitive (Unable to detect or respond to changes)
Collocations
light-sensitive
|temperature-sensitive
|sensitive equipment
Themes
science
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This camera is very sensitive to low light.
- The device is sensitive enough to pick up tiny movements.
- Our skin is sensitive to touch.
Learner examples
- My eyes are sensitive to bright light.
- The machine is sensitive to heat.
- His skin is sensitive to cold.
adjective
B2
property
3
Needing careful treatment due to secrecy or importance
Important or secret, so it must be dealt with carefully.
Usage pattern:
[something] is sensitive information/matter/issue
Synonyms
confidential (Specifically refers to information meant to be kept secret)
Antonyms
public (Open and available for everyone; not secret)
Collocations
sensitive information
|sensitive matter
|sensitive issue
Themes
business
|politics
|law
|communication
Examples
- They discussed sensitive matters behind closed doors.
- This is highly sensitive information that cannot be shared.
- The negotiations involve sensitive political issues.
Learner examples
- This is sensitive information. Do not tell anyone.
- We talked about a sensitive topic.
- The manager handled the sensitive issue well.
adjective
B2
property
4
Having sharp physical senses
Able to notice very small changes through seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, or feeling.
Synonyms
acute (Often used for senses like hearing or smell; implies sharpness)
Antonyms
dull (Not having sharp senses)
Collocations
sensitive hearing
|sensitive nose
Themes
biology
|daily life
|body
|health
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Dogs have a highly sensitive sense of smell.
- Her ears are very sensitive and can pick up faint sounds.
- He has a sensitive palate for fine wines.
Learner examples
- Cats have a sensitive nose.
- Her ears are very sensitive.
- He has a sensitive tongue for taste.
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.