sensitivity — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The quality or state of being sensitive; sensitiveness.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   delicacy

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   In any event, the incident, and the media attention it attracted, highlights the sensitivity of language politics in Singapore and is reflective of the fact that this sensitivity extends to campus life.

   Owing to sensitivities about the force's capabilities, Russell is unable to say how many drones BTP has, or where and when they operate. But he does confide that the force works hand in hand with the helicopter service, and its ability to deploy drones is getting quicker.

2. The ability of an organism or organ to respond to external stimuli.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   The single-imaging optic of the mammalian eye offers some distinct visual advantages. Such lenses can take in photons from a wide range of angles, increasing light sensitivity. They also have high spatial resolution, resolving incoming images in minute detail.

   A coenzyme that exists in all living cells, NAD+ plays a central role in the body’s biological processes, such as regulating cellular energy, increasing insulin sensitivity and reversing mitochondrial dysfunction.

3. The ability of an organism or organ to respond to external stimuli. Vulnerability to medical treatment: Synonym of susceptibility.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable
   • of a pathogen

4. The probability, in a binary classification test, of a true positive being correctly identified.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Coordinate term: specificity

5. The degree of response of an instrument to a change in an input signal.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Up to 1,884 microplastic particles were found per cubic metre of seawater in some locations, up to 18 times higher than in similar tests during the last Ocean Race, which ended in 2018. Scientists noted that the sensitivity of their instruments is now higher.

6. The rate at which the player's facing direction or position changes relative to input device movement.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Since he played with high sensitivity, he only needed to move the mouse a tiny distance to rotate a full 360 degrees.

7. The degree of response of a film etc. to light of a specified wavelength.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Noun

1. (physiology) responsiveness to external stimuli; the faculty of sensation

   Synonyms

   sensitivenesssensibility

   Broader terms

   sensesensationsentiencesentiencysensory faculty

   Examples

   sensitivity to pain

2. the ability to respond to physical stimuli or to register small physical amounts or differences

   Synonyms

   sensitiveness

   Broader terms

   physical property

   Examples

   a galvanometer of extreme sensitivity

   the sensitiveness of Mimosa leaves does not depend on a change of growth

3. sensitivity to emotional feelings (of self and others)

   Synonyms

   sensitiveness

   Broader terms

   feeling

4. susceptibility to a pathogen

   Synonyms

   predisposition

   Broader terms

   susceptibilitysusceptibleness

5. the ability to respond to affective changes in your interpersonal environment

   Synonyms

   sensitiveness

   Antonyms

   insensitivity

   Broader terms

   ability