sensitive

Universal Words adjective to people's feelings 1 ~ (to sth) aware of and able to understand other people and their feelings: a sensitive and caring man * She is very sensitive to other people's feelings. OPPINSENSITIVE to art / music / literature 2 able to understand art, music and literature and to express yourself through them: an actor's sensitive reading of the poem * a sensitive musician / poet * a sensitive portrait easily upset 3 ~ (about / to sth) easily offended or upset: You're far too sensitive. * He's very sensitive about his weight. * She's very sensitive to criticism. OPPINSENSITIVE information / subject 4 that you have to treat with great care because it may offend people or make them angry: Health care is a politically sensitive issue. * That's a sensitive area. to cold / light / food, etc. 5 ~ (to sth) reacting quickly or more than usual to sth: sensitive areas of the body * My teeth are very sensitive to cold food. * The eyes of some fish are acutely sensitive to light. OPPINSENSITIVE to small changes 6 ~ (to sth) able to measure very small changes: a sensitive barometer / instrument * The eyes can be a sensitive indicator of health. * (figurative) The Stock Exchange is very sensitive to political change. OPPINSENSITIVE sensitively adverb: She handled the matter sensitively and effectively. * He writes sensitively. IDIOMS see NERVEn.