sensitivity

Everyday

1. Sensitivity is being kind and careful about other people's feelings. tree →
2. Sensitivity is how easily something reacts or is hurt: skin sensitivity, sensitivity to light. tree →
3. A sensitivity can be a mild allergy or bad reaction to something, like a food. tree →
4. In science and tools, sensitivity is how well an instrument can notice very small changes. tree →
5. The sensitivity of a topic is how likely it is to upset people. tree →

In the lessons

Everyday life and feelings: showing sensitivity when a friend is sad. Health: «gluten sensitivity», «tooth sensitivity» to cold drinks. Science: a sensitive thermometer or microphone notices tiny changes; you can change the sensitivity of a computer mouse. In stories, a character's sensitivity shows they notice how others feel.

Examples

• She handled the news with great sensitivity. tree →
• My teeth have sensitivity to ice cream. tree →
• Some people have a sensitivity to milk. tree →
• Turn up the sensitivity of the microphone. tree →
• Dogs have amazing sensitivity to smells. tree →
• The teacher talked about the war with sensitivity. tree →
• Light sensitivity can come with a headache. tree →

Note

Countable in the «allergy» sense (sensitivities), otherwise mostly uncountable. Adjective: sensitive. Trap: «sensitive» (easily hurt, aware of feelings) is not the same as «sensible» (showing good sense). False friend for some learners: French «sensible» means sensitive.