sensitivity

C1 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˌsɛn.səˈtɪv.ə.ti/ UK /ˌsɛn.sɪˈtɪv.ɪ.ti/ See IPA manual

Freq #12027

Meanings

1

noun
The ability to understand and respond carefully to other people's feelings.

She handled the bad news with great sensitivity.
2

noun
The quality of being easily affected, hurt, or upset by something.

His sensitivity to criticism made the meeting difficult.
3

noun
The ability of a device or instrument to detect small changes or amounts.

Scientists improved the sensitivity of the instruments to detect tiny particles.
4

noun
The ability of the body or an organ to respond to physical stimuli.

The lens of the eye increases the eye's sensitivity to light.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · the ability to understand... sensitiveness

3 noun · the ability of a device or... sensitiveness

4 noun · the ability of the body or... sensibility sensitiveness

Opposites

insensitivity

Word family

Forms sensitivities

Derived forms case-sensitivitychemosensitivitycorticosensitivitycryosensitivityecosensitivityelectrosensitivitygravisensitivityhemosensitivityhypersensitivityhyposensitivityimmunosensitivitymagnetosensitivity

Etymology

From sensitive + -ity.

Topics

Describing Qualities The Human Body Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# sensitivity

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˌsɛn.səˈtɪv.ə.ti/
**IPA (UK):** /ˌsɛn.sɪˈtɪv.ɪ.ti/
**Frequency rank:** 12027

## Meanings
1. The ability to understand and respond carefully to other people's feelings.
2. The quality of being easily affected, hurt, or upset by something.
3. The ability of a device or instrument to detect small changes or amounts.
4. The ability of the body or an organ to respond to physical stimuli.

## Examples
- She handled the bad news with great sensitivity.
- His sensitivity to criticism made the meeting difficult.
- Scientists improved the sensitivity of the instruments to detect tiny particles.
- The lens of the eye increases the eye's sensitivity to light.

## Antonyms
- insensitivity

## Derived Forms
- case-sensitivity
- chemosensitivity
- corticosensitivity
- cryosensitivity
- ecosensitivity
- electrosensitivity
- gravisensitivity
- hemosensitivity
- hypersensitivity
- hyposensitivity
- immunosensitivity
- magnetosensitivity

## Etymology
From sensitive + -ity.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- The Human Body
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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sensitivity

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