1 receptive | Definition of receptive

receptive

adjective
re·​cep·​tive | \ ri-ˈsep-tiv How to pronounce receptive (audio) \

Definition of receptive

1 : able or inclined to receive especially : open and responsive to ideas, impressions, or suggestions
2a 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

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Other Words from receptive

receptively adverb
receptiveness noun
receptivity \ ˌrē-​ˌsep-​ˈti-​və-​tē How to pronounce receptivity (audio) , ri-​ \ noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for receptive

Synonyms

broad-minded, open, open-minded

Antonyms

narrow-minded, unreceptive

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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

But time and money are limited and these numbers suggest that in very real terms that there are fewer and fewer places for candidates to target swing voters who might be receptive to their messages. — Dante Chinni, NBC News, "Election maps show "middle ground" communities are disappearing," 8 Sep. 2019 But because the fuels are not as receptive, Cal Fire has been able to knock the fires down quickly. — Michael Cabanatuan, SFChronicle.com, "Mountain Fire near Redding threatens, but so far conditions favor containment," 23 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'receptive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of receptive

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for receptive

receptive

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of receptive

: willing to listen to or accept ideas, suggestions, etc.

receptive

adjective
re·​cep·​tive | \ ri-ˈsep-tiv How to pronounce receptive (audio) \

Kids Definition of receptive

: willing to consider new ideas

receptive

adjective
re·​cep·​tive | \ ri-ˈsep-tiv How to pronounce receptive (audio) \

Medical Definition of receptive

1 : open and responsive to ideas, impressions, or suggestions
2a of a sensory end organ : fit to receive and transmit stimuli

Other Words from receptive

receptiveness noun
receptivity \ ËŒrÄ“-​ˌsep-​ˈtiv-​ət-​ē, ri-​ How to pronounce receptivity (audio) \ noun, plural receptivities

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