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adj C1 Advanced Uncommon

insensitive

ihn-SEHN-sih-tihv

Insensitive (adj) means showing little concern or care for other people feelings. Example: “That was an incredibly insensitive joke to make at a funeral.”

adj
1
Showing little concern or care for other people feelings.
"That was an incredibly insensitive joke to make at a funeral."
"He can be insensitive to how his comments land."
2
Not physically responsive to a stimulus.
"The nerve damage left her skin insensitive to touch in that area."

How to use insensitive

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishNot caring about (or not physically feeling) something you would normally expect a reaction to.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
insensitive remark insensitive to

Word forms

more insensitive comparative, most insensitive superlative

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That was an incredibly _____ joke to make at a funeral.

Etymology

Formed from in- ("not") plus sensitive.

Rhymes for insensitive

See all rhymes for insensitive →

Frequently asked questions

What does “insensitive” mean?

The word “insensitive” means showing little concern or care for other people feelings. In plain terms, not caring about (or not physically feeling) something you would normally expect a reaction to.

How do you pronounce “insensitive”?

“Insensitive” is pronounced ihn-SEHN-sih-tihv (/ɪnˈsɛnsɪtɪv/ in IPA).

How do you use “insensitive” in a sentence?

Here is “insensitive” used in a sentence: “That was an incredibly insensitive joke to make at a funeral.”

What part of speech is “insensitive”?

“Insensitive” is an adjective.

Is “insensitive” a common word?

“Insensitive” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.

How many meanings does “insensitive” have?

“Insensitive” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: showing little concern or care for other people feelings.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial