sen ‧ si ‧ tiv ‧ i ‧ ty /ˌsensəˈtɪvəti, ˌsensɪˈtɪvəti/ BrE AmE noun ( plural sensitivities )
[ Word Family: adjective : ↑ sensible , ↑ insensible , ↑ senseless , ↑ sensitive ≠ ↑ insensitive , ↑ sensory , ↑ nonsensical , ↑ insensate ; noun : ↑ sense ≠ ↑ nonsense , ↑ sensibility ≠ ↑ insensibility , ↑ sensitivity ≠ ↑ insensitivity , ↑ senselessness , ↑ sensitization , ↑ sensor ; adverb : ↑ sensibly , ↑ senselessly , ↑ sensitively ≠ ↑ insensitively ; verb : ↑ sense , ↑ sensitize ]
1 . UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE [singular, uncountable] the ability to understand other people’s feelings and problems:
His comments show a lack of sensitivity.
Interviewing victims of crime must be done with sensitivity.
a teacher with great sensitivity
sensitivity to
She has always shown a sensitivity to audience needs and tastes.
2 . SITUATION/SUBJECT [uncountable] when a situation or subject needs to be dealt with carefully because it is secret or may offend people:
It’s a matter of great political sensitivity.
3 . BODY’S REACTION [uncountable and countable] when someone reacts badly to a particular food, substance, animal etc and becomes ill:
food sensitivity
sensitivity to
Many children have a sensitivity to cow’s milk.
4 . EASILY OFFENDED [uncountable] when someone is easily upset or offended by things that people say
5 . sensitivities [plural] someone’s feelings and the fact that they could be upset or offended:
racial sensitivities
6 . ART/MUSIC ETC [uncountable and countable] the quality of being able to express emotions through art, literature etc
7 . REACTION TO CHANGES [uncountable] the ability to react to very small changes in light, heat, movement etc:
The sensitivity of the detector can be increased.
8 . REACTION TO NEW SITUATIONS [uncountable and countable] the fact of quickly reacting to new situations:
the market’s price sensitivity