/ ˈsensətɪv; NAmE / adjective
TO PEOPLE'S FEELINGS
1.
sensitive (to sth) aware of and able to understand other people and their feelings :
a sensitive and caring man
She is very sensitive to other people's feelings.
OPP insensitive
TO ART / MUSIC / LITERATURE
2.
able to understand art, music and literature and to express yourself through them :
an actor's sensitive reading of the poem
a sensitive portrait
EASILY UPSET
3.
sensitive (about / to sth) easily offended or upset :
You're far too sensitive.
He's very sensitive about his weight.
She's very sensitive to criticism.
OPP insensitive
INFORMATION / SUBJECT
4.
that you have to treat with great care because it may offend people or make them angry :
Health care is a politically sensitive issue.
TO COLD / LIGHT / FOOD, etc.
5.
sensitive (to sth) reacting quickly or more than usual to sth :
sensitive areas of the body
My teeth are very sensitive to cold food.
OPP insensitive
TO SMALL CHANGES
6.
sensitive (to sth) able to measure very small changes :
a sensitive instrument
( figurative )
The Stock Exchange is very sensitive to political change.
OPP insensitive
► sen·si·tive·ly adverb :
She handled the matter sensitively.
He writes sensitively.
•
IDIOMS
see nerve noun
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the sense sensory ): from Old French sensitif , -ive or medieval Latin sensitivus , formed irregularly from Latin sentire feel. The current senses date from the early 19th cent.