receptive

adjective

re·​cep·​tive ri-ˈsep-tiv 

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 

ri-

noun

Synonyms

• broad-minded
• open
• open-minded

Examples of receptive in a Sentence

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

The one thing students agree on is that their voices need to be heard. ‘Had to get off of it’ Neel Thakkar, a rising senior at Reseda High is receptive to the ban. —Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2024

As Bridgerton’s free-spirited bachelor, Benedict (played by Luke Thompson) is receptive to new experiences. —Keisha Hatchett, TVLine, 14 June 2024

The commissioners were receptive to the request, approving it by a 9-0 vote. —Jc Reindl, Detroit Free Press, 17 May 2024

Some, like Mike Fleming, Jr. at Deadline, were more receptive to the movie, though everybody seemed to have some difficulty attempting to describe it. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

receptive

adjective

re·​cep·​tive ri-ˈsep-tiv 

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 

ri-

noun

Medical Definition

receptive

adjective

re·​cep·​tive ri-ˈsep-tiv 

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- 

noun

plural receptivities