receptive
receptive — adjective
- receptivepositive
- more receptivecomparative
- most receptivesuperlative
1. describes someone who is willing to hear and think about other people's viewpoin
describes someone who is willing to hear and think about other people's viewpoints, suggestions, or proposals, even when those are different from what they already believe
Wei was receptive to the team's new ideas for improving the office layout.
receptive + to + noun phrase (new ideas)
The board members were surprisingly receptive to the young designer's bold proposal.
Children are often more receptive to learning a new language than adults are.
receptive + to + gerund phrase (learning)
After weeks of tense negotiations, both sides finally became receptive to a compromise.
A good manager stays receptive to feedback from every member of the team.
- receptive to ideas
- receptive to change
- receptive to feedback
- receptive audience
- highly receptive
- open-minded
focuses on having a fair, unprejudiced attitude rather than the action of listening
- responsive
emphasises actively reacting or replying, not just being willing to listen
- amenable
more formal; implies a willingness to be influenced or to agree
- resistant
describes actively pushing back against ideas rather than simply not listening
- unreceptive
the direct negative; less common than 'not receptive'
Grammar Patterns
receptive + to + noun phrase
Usage Note
Commonly followed by 'to' to introduce what the person is willing to consider. Less common with a that-clause.
Common Mistakes
2. describes the skill of understanding spoken or written language when you listen
describes the skill of understanding spoken or written language when you listen or read, rather than producing it by speaking or writing it yourself
Olga's receptive vocabulary in English is much larger than what she uses when she speaks.
receptive + noun (vocabulary): words understood but not actively used
Children develop receptive language skills long before they can form full sentences.
The test measures both receptive and expressive abilities in learners of all ages.
A strong receptive understanding of grammar helps when you read academic articles.
- receptive language
- receptive skills
- receptive vocabulary
- passive
used in language learning ('passive vocabulary'); plainer and slightly less technical
- comprehension
a noun rather than an adjective; 'reading comprehension' covers a related but narrower area
- expressive
the standard paired term in linguistics; refers to producing language
Grammar Patterns
receptive + noun (skill / language / vocabulary)
Usage Note
Almost always used attributively (before a noun) in technical language-teaching contexts. The most common pairings are 'receptive language', 'receptive skills', and 'receptive vocabulary'.
Common Mistakes
3. describes a cell, nerve, or organ in the body that is built to detect signals fr
describes a cell, nerve, or organ in the body that is built to detect signals from the outside world — such as sound entering the ear, light hitting the eye, or pressure on the skin — and pass that information to the brain
The retina contains millions of receptive cells that respond to light.
receptive + noun (cells): biological sensory function
Touch receptors in the skin are highly receptive to changes in temperature and pressure.
Dr. Park's research focuses on how receptive nerve endings detect pain signals.
The cochlea in the inner ear contains receptive hair cells that turn sound waves into nerve signals.
- receptive cells
- receptive nerve endings
- receptive organ
- receptive field
- efferent
the opposite direction in neuroanatomy; carries signals away from the central nervous system
Grammar Patterns
receptive + noun (organ / cell / nerve)
Usage Note
A technical term in biology and physiology. It is not used to describe everyday experiences like 'feeling cold' — those are described as sensory perception, not 'receptive organs'.
4. describes a female living organism whose body has reached a stage in its reprodu
describes a female living organism whose body has reached a stage in its reproductive cycle that allows mating with a male or receiving pollen for fertilization
The female dog is only receptive to the male for about ten days each year.
receptive + to + the male: biological readiness for mating
The orchid's flower becomes receptive to pollen for just a few hours after opening.
In many bird species, the female signals that she is receptive by performing a specific dance.
During the breeding season, the lioness becomes receptive to the male's advances.
- receptive to the male
- sexually receptive
- receptive female
- receptive flower
- receptive phase
Grammar Patterns
receptive + to + mating / copulation
Usage Note
Primarily used in biology and veterinary science. Avoid using this sense for human relationships — it sounds clinical and dehumanising.
Common Mistakes
5. describes a patient whose body reacts to a medical treatment in the intended way
describes a patient whose body reacts to a medical treatment in the intended way, so that the therapy produces the desired improvement in their health
Elena's tumour was surprisingly receptive to the new chemotherapy drug.
receptive + to + drug name: positive medical response
Not all patients are receptive to the same antibiotic; some need a different type.
The hospital found that older patients were less receptive to the experimental vaccine.
If the body is not receptive to a cortisone injection, the doctor may try physical therapy instead.
- receptive to treatment
- receptive to therapy
- receptive to the drug
- poorly receptive
- responsive
more common in medicine ('responsive to treatment'); implies a clearer cause-and-effect result
- susceptible
can mean receptive to treatment, but more often means vulnerable to harm or infection
- resistant
the standard opposite in medicine; a resistant infection or tumour does not respond to the drug
Grammar Patterns
receptive + to + medical treatment / therapy / drug
Usage Note
Used in clinical contexts to discuss treatment outcomes. The subject is always the patient or the patient's body; never the treatment itself.