French word

susceptible

Pronunciation

IPA/sysɛptibl/

Meaning

  • adjectivesensitive

Example

Il est susceptible, fais attention à ce que tu dis.

He's sensitive, so be careful what you say.

Illustration for susceptible (sensitive)

More examples

Au travail, il devient vite susceptible quand on commente son travail.

At work, he quickly gets touchy when people comment on his work.

Core concept

A remark touches a sensitive spot, causing quick offense and a guarded reaction.

Common phrases

  • se montrer susceptible

    be touchy

  • susceptible aux critiques

    sensitive to criticism

  • moins susceptible

    less touchy

Similar words

sensible: Emotionally delicate and easily affected by outside influences.
offensé: Feeling hurt or displeased by someone's words or actions.
irritable: Easily annoyed by minor things and quick to become bad-tempered.
vulnérable: Emotionally unprotected and easily hurt.

Definition in French

Qui se laisse facilement atteindre par une remarque ou une critique et qui se vexe vite.

Word origin

Susceptible was borrowed from Latin susceptibilis, formed from suscipere meaning "to receive," with the idea of being readily affected later extending to emotional offense.

Usage tips

  • French also uses susceptible de plus an infinitive for something likely or liable to happen, a meaning unrelated to being touchy.

Other meanings

  • touchyadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • susceptibilitétouchinessnoun

Word lists with this word