adj
Uncommon
susceptible
suh-SEHP-tihbl
Susceptible (adj) means Likely to be affected, harmed, or influenced by something. Example: “Young children are especially susceptible to colds.”
adj
1
Likely to be affected, harmed, or influenced by something.
"He was susceptible to minor ailments."
"Young children are especially susceptible to colds."
"He's susceptible to flattery."
"Plants grown indoors can be susceptible to pests if the air is too dry."
How to use susceptible
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEasily affected or influenced by something — a weakness or vulnerability to a particular thing.
Common mistake
Always followed by "to," not "for" or "by": susceptible to something, not susceptible for something.
Common pairings
susceptible to infection
susceptible to pressure
highly susceptible
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Word forms
- Plural
- susceptibles
- Comparative
- more susceptible
- Superlative
- most susceptible
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Young children are especially _____ to colds.
Etymology
From Late Latin susceptibilis, from Latin susceptus, the past participle of suscipio, "to take up, undertake."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for susceptible
See all rhymes for susceptible →Frequently asked questions
What does “susceptible” mean?
The word “susceptible” means likely to be affected, harmed, or influenced by something. In plain terms, easily affected or influenced by something — a weakness or vulnerability to a particular thing.
How do you pronounce “susceptible”?
“Susceptible” is pronounced suh-SEHP-tihbl ([səˈsɛptɪbl̩] in IPA).
How do you use “susceptible” in a sentence?
Here is “susceptible” used in a sentence: “Young children are especially susceptible to colds.”
What is another word for “susceptible”?
Words with a similar meaning to “susceptible” include exposed, impaired, open, prone, receptive and sensitive.
What is the opposite of “susceptible”?
The opposite of “susceptible” — its antonyms — are immune, resistant and unsusceptible.
What part of speech is “susceptible”?
“Susceptible” is an adjective.
Where does the word “susceptible” come from?
The word “susceptible” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin susceptibilis, from Latin susceptus, the past participle of suscipio, "to take up, undertake.".
Is “susceptible” a common word?
“Susceptible” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between susceptible and vulnerable?
Susceptible describes being likely to be affected, harmed, or influenced by something, often in a general or medical sense, such as being susceptible to colds. Vulnerable more strongly implies a lack of protection or defense against harm. The two overlap closely, but susceptible focuses on likelihood of being affected, while vulnerable emphasizes exposure to danger.
What preposition follows susceptible?
Susceptible is typically followed by the preposition to, as in susceptible to infection or susceptible to flattery. This construction shows what the person or thing is likely to be affected or influenced by.
Can susceptible describe both physical and emotional traits?
Yes. Susceptible can describe physical vulnerability, such as being susceptible to illness, as well as emotional or psychological openness, such as being susceptible to persuasion or criticism. In both cases, it means likely to be affected or influenced.
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