responsive
adjective
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Responsive comes from the joining of Latin responsus with the suffix -ivus, which gave English -ive. That suffix changes verbs into adjectives, as in suggestive or corrosive. Responsus is a form of respondēre, which means "to answer" and is the source of English's respond. Responsive enters the language with the meaning "giving response" or "answering." Examples are "a responsive letter" or "a responsive glance." Nowadays, it variously describes people or things that immediately respond or react to something, such as "a responsive audience" or "a car with responsive steering."
Examples of responsive in a Sentence
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
The way the car flows down twisty roads is simply serene due to its talkative and responsive electrohydraulic steering, wonderful chassis communication, minimal body roll, and excellent grip.
—Peter Nelson, ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2025
Driving impressions The Lyriq is a speedy and responsive vehicle even without V trappings.
—Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 31 July 2025
Moving the magnet up and down the grid on the patient's cap, the technician can find the spot where the patient is most responsive.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for responsive
Cite this Entry
“Responsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/responsive. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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responsive
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