WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
re•spon•sive•ness
(ri spon′siv nis),USA pronunciation n. [Mach.]the ability of a machine or system to adjust quickly to suddenly altered external conditions, as of speed, load, or temperature, and to resume stable operation without undue delay. Also, re•spon•siv•i•ty
(ri spon siv′i tē, rē′spon-).USA pronunciation
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026- the quality or state of being responsive.
- responsive + -ness 1840–50
re•spon•sive /rɪˈspɑnsɪv/USA pronunciation
adj.
re•spon•sive•ness, n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- responding readily and with sympathy:responsive to ideas for changing the organization.
re•spon•sive•ness, n. [uncountable]
re•spon•sive
(ri spon′siv),USA pronunciation adj.
re•spon′sive•ly, adv.
- responding esp. readily and sympathetically to appeals, efforts, influences, etc.:a responsive government.
- Physiologyacting in response, as to some stimulus.
- characterized by the use of responses:responsive worship.
- Late Latin respōnsīvus. See response, -ive
- late Middle English 1375–1425
- 1. receptive, understanding, sympathetic.
'responsiveness' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
frigid
- sensibility
- compliance
- epicritic
- forbid
- indifference
- music
- protopathic
- recognition
- tone
- supple
- syntonic