sensitive
♦ sen|si|tive /s'ensɪtɪv/
1 [ADJ] oft ADJ to n
If you are sensitive to other people's needs, problems, or feelings, you show understanding and awareness of them.
The classroom teacher must be sensitive to a child's needs...
He was always so sensitive and caring.
● sensitively [ADV] usu ADV with v
The abuse of women needs to be treated seriously and sensitively.
● sensitivity [N-UNCOUNT] oft N for n
A good relationship involves concern and sensitivity for each other's feelings.
2 [ADJ] oft ADJ about n
If you are sensitive about something, you are easily worried and offended when people talk about it.
Young people are very sensitive about their appearance...
Take it easy. Don't be so sensitive.
● sensitivity [N-VAR] oft N about n
...people who suffer extreme sensitivity about what others think...
3 [ADJ]
A sensitive subject or issue needs to be dealt with carefully because it is likely to cause disagreement or make people angry or upset.
Employment is a very sensitive issue.
...politically sensitive matters.
● sensitivity [N-UNCOUNT] oft N of n
Due to the obvious sensitivity of the issue he would not divulge any details.
4 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Sensitive documents or reports contain information that needs to be kept secret and dealt with carefully.
He instructed staff to shred sensitive documents.
5 [ADJ] oft ADJ to n
Something that is sensitive to a physical force, substance, or treatment is easily affected by it and often harmed by it.
...a chemical which is sensitive to light.
...gentle cosmetics for sensitive skin.
● sensitivity [N-UNCOUNT] oft N of n
...the sensitivity of cells to damage by chemotherapy.
6 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A sensitive piece of scientific equipment is capable of measuring or recording very small changes.
...an extremely sensitive microscope.
● sensitivity [N-UNCOUNT]
...the sensitivity of the detector.
1 [ADJ] oft ADJ to n
If you are sensitive to other people's needs, problems, or feelings, you show understanding and awareness of them.
The classroom teacher must be sensitive to a child's needs...
He was always so sensitive and caring.
● sensitively [ADV] usu ADV with v
The abuse of women needs to be treated seriously and sensitively.
● sensitivity [N-UNCOUNT] oft N for n
A good relationship involves concern and sensitivity for each other's feelings.
2 [ADJ] oft ADJ about n
If you are sensitive about something, you are easily worried and offended when people talk about it.
Young people are very sensitive about their appearance...
Take it easy. Don't be so sensitive.
● sensitivity [N-VAR] oft N about n
...people who suffer extreme sensitivity about what others think...
3 [ADJ]
A sensitive subject or issue needs to be dealt with carefully because it is likely to cause disagreement or make people angry or upset.
Employment is a very sensitive issue.
...politically sensitive matters.
● sensitivity [N-UNCOUNT] oft N of n
Due to the obvious sensitivity of the issue he would not divulge any details.
4 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Sensitive documents or reports contain information that needs to be kept secret and dealt with carefully.
He instructed staff to shred sensitive documents.
5 [ADJ] oft ADJ to n
Something that is sensitive to a physical force, substance, or treatment is easily affected by it and often harmed by it.
...a chemical which is sensitive to light.
...gentle cosmetics for sensitive skin.
● sensitivity [N-UNCOUNT] oft N of n
...the sensitivity of cells to damage by chemotherapy.
6 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A sensitive piece of scientific equipment is capable of measuring or recording very small changes.
...an extremely sensitive microscope.
● sensitivity [N-UNCOUNT]
...the sensitivity of the detector.