French word

sensitif

Pronunciation

IPA/sɑ̃sitif/

Meaning

  • adjectivesensory

Example

Le nerf sensitif est blessé.

The sensory nerve is injured.

Illustration for sensitif (sensory)

More examples

Il devient sensitif lorsque l'on critique son travail.

He becomes sensitive when people criticize his work.

Core concept

A body or person that picks up outside signals quickly and responds strongly to them.

Similar words

sensible: Easily affected by feelings and emotions.
émotif: Showing feelings openly, especially sadness or joy.
délicat: Fragile or requiring careful handling.
susceptible: Easily hurt by other people's words or behavior.

Definition in French

Qui réagit facilement aux impressions, physiques ou psychiques, et montre une forte réceptivité aux sensations.

Word origin

French sensitif comes from Latin sensitivus, built on sentire, 'to feel', and refers to responsiveness to sensation.

Usage tips

  • For emotional sensitivity in ordinary speech, French often uses sensible or émotif rather than the more technical-sounding sensitif.

Other meanings

  • sensitiveadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word