receptive

1 of 2

adjective

re·​cep·​tive ri-ˈsep-tiv How to pronounce receptive (audio)
Synonyms of receptivenext
1
: able or inclined to receive
especially : open and responsive to ideas, impressions, or suggestions
2
a
of a sensory end organ : fit to receive and transmit stimuli
b
: sensory
3
of a female animal : willing to copulate with a male
a receptive mare
receptively adverb
receptiveness noun
receptivity
ˌrē-ˌsep-ˈti-və-tē How to pronounce receptive (audio)
ri-
noun

receptivity

2 of 2

noun

re·​cep·​tiv·​i·​ty (ˌ)rē-ˌsep-ˈti-və-tē How to pronounce receptivity (audio)
ri-
plural -es
: the quality or state of being receptive
specifically : the power or capacity of receiving impressions : sensibility
her active intellectual receptivity —Havelock Ellis
heighten the spectator's receptivity to the theme —Michael Kitson

Synonyms of receptive

Relevance

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of receptive in a Sentence

Adjective I was happy to be speaking before such a receptive audience. needed a partner who was receptive to new ways of managing the business
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Clark seized on a more gentle course — slightly calmer and still soft with receptive greens — by pulling away late to reach six-under-par through 16 holes. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026 Being receptive, easy to work with, and professional really matter to me. — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 16 June 2026 Worse, the veto came from a governor many advocates and operators expected to be more receptive than her predecessor. — Peter Su, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 According to Vali Nasr, the Paydari faction has found a receptive audience among poorer, religiously conservative Iranians who have felt the war most acutely. — Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for receptive

Word History

Etymology

Noun

receptive + -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of receptive was in the 15th century

Rhymes for receptive

See All Rhymes for receptive

Browse Nearby Words

reception room
receptive
receptive hypha
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Receptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/receptive. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

receptive

adjective
re·​cep·​tive ri-ˈsep-tiv How to pronounce receptive (audio)
1
: able or willing to receive especially ideas
2
: able to receive and pass on stimuli
the receptive part of the retina
receptively adverb
receptiveness noun
receptivity
ˌrē-ˌsep-ˈtiv-ət-ē How to pronounce receptive (audio)
ri-
noun

Medical Definition

receptive

adjective
re·​cep·​tive ri-ˈsep-tiv How to pronounce receptive (audio)
1
: open and responsive to ideas, impressions, or suggestions
2
a
of a sensory end organ : fit to receive and transmit stimuli
b
: sensory sense 1
receptiveness noun
receptivity
ˌrē-ˌsep-ˈtiv-ət-ē, ri- How to pronounce receptive (audio)
noun
plural receptivities

More from Merriam-Webster on receptive

Nglish: Translation of receptive for Spanish Speakers

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