Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
If you are ~ to other people’s needs, problems, or feelings, you show understanding and awareness of them.
The classroom teacher must be ~ to a child’s needs...
He was always so ~ and caring.
ADJ: oft ADJ to n approval
~ly
The abuse of women needs to be treated seriously and ~ly.
ADV: usu ADV with v
sensitivity
A good relationship involves concern and sensitivity for each other’s feelings.
N-UNCOUNT: oft N for n
2.
If you are ~ about something, you are easily worried and offended when people talk about it.
Young people are very ~ about their appearance...
Take it easy. Don’t be so ~.
ADJ: oft ADJ about n
sensitivity (sensitivities)
...people who suffer extreme sensitivity about what others think...
N-VAR: oft N about n
3.
A ~ subject or issue needs to be dealt with carefully because it is likely to cause disagreement or make people angry or upset.
Employment is a very ~ issue.
...politically ~ matters.
ADJ
sensitivity
Due to the obvious sensitivity of the issue he would not divulge any details.
N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n
4.
Sensitive documents or reports contain information that needs to be kept secret and dealt with carefully.
He instructed staff to shred ~ documents.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
5.
Something that is ~ to a physical force, substance, or treatment is easily affected by it and often harmed by it.
...a chemical which is ~ to light.
...gentle cosmetics for ~ skin.
ADJ: oft ADJ to n
sensitivity
...the sensitivity of cells to damage by chemotherapy.
N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n
6.
A ~ piece of scientific equipment is capable of measuring or recording very small changes.
...an extremely ~ microscope.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
sensitivity
...the sensitivity of the detector.
N-UNCOUNT