adj
Uncommon
responsive
rih-SPON-sihv
Responsive (adj) means Quick to react or reply; reacting readily to something. Example: “The new customer service team is very responsive.”
adj
1
Quick to react or reply; reacting readily to something.
"The new customer service team is very responsive."
"The patient became responsive again after a few minutes."
"Her dog is very responsive and comes the moment she calls."
2
In web design, automatically adjusting layout to fit different screen sizes.
"The site uses a responsive design so it looks good on phones and desktops alike."
"A responsive layout rearranges the menu when you turn your tablet sideways."
"Our designer made the shop's website responsive, so the buttons stay easy to tap."
How to use responsive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishQuick to react — to people, situations, or in web design, to different screen sizes.
Common pairings
responsive to feedback
responsive design
highly responsive
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more responsive
- Superlative
- most responsive
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The new customer service team is very _____.
Etymology
From Middle French responsif, ultimately from Latin respondere, "to respond."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
nonresponsive
unresponsive
Related words
Rhymes for responsive
See all rhymes for responsive →Frequently asked questions
What does “responsive” mean?
The word “responsive” means quick to react or reply; reacting readily to something. In plain terms, quick to react — to people, situations, or in web design, to different screen sizes.
How do you pronounce “responsive”?
“Responsive” is pronounced rih-SPON-sihv (/ɹɪˈspɑn.sɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “responsive” in a sentence?
Here is “responsive” used in a sentence: “The new customer service team is very responsive.”
What is the opposite of “responsive”?
The opposite of “responsive” — its antonyms — are nonresponsive and unresponsive.
What part of speech is “responsive”?
“Responsive” is an adjective.
Where does the word “responsive” come from?
The word “responsive” comes from Latin. From Middle French responsif, ultimately from Latin respondere, "to respond.".
Is “responsive” a common word?
“Responsive” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “responsive” have?
“Responsive” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: quick to react or reply; reacting readily to something.
What is the difference between responsive and reactive design?
Responsive design automatically adjusts a webpage's layout to fit different screen sizes, while reactive is a broader term about reacting readily to input or change. In web design, "responsive" specifically describes layouts that resize and rearrange content for phones, tablets, and desktops, whereas "reactive" more often describes real-time interactivity or code that updates instantly when data changes.
What makes a website responsive?
A responsive website uses flexible layouts, images, and CSS rules that automatically adjust to fit the screen size being used, whether a phone, tablet, or desktop. This means the same site reflows its content without needing a separate version for each device.
Is responsive a compliment when describing a person?
Yes, calling a person responsive is generally positive, since it means they are quick to react or reply and pay attention to what others need. It is commonly used to praise good customer service, communication, or leadership.
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing responsive in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
Responsive design is less about specific breakpoints than about layouts that stop needing them.
From
CSS Creme
