receptive

adjective

re·​cep·​tive ri-ˈsep-tiv How to pronounce receptive (audio)
Synonyms of receptive
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

Synonyms of receptive

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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
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.
Woods defines the pre-rut as the time period during which less than 25 percent of does are receptive. — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 29 Oct. 2026 Netanyahu would depend on the far-right parties led by Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, whose ultra-nationalist politics have found a receptive audience among younger right-wing Israelis. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Oct. 2026 Senses are dialled up, receptive, and tender—move gently and lead with care. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026 Almost no one is attuned to their surroundings or open to conversation, receptive to subtle social and environmental cues. — Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for receptive

Word History

First Known Use

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

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Browse Nearby Words

reception room
receptive
receptive hypha
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Cite this Entry

“Receptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/receptive. Accessed 1 Nov. 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
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