susceptible

Everyday

1. Easily affected, harmed or influenced by something. tree →
2. Likely to catch an illness. tree →
3. (formal) Able to be treated in a certain way: «susceptible to proof». tree →

In the lessons

In science and health lessons: young children, the old and sick people are more susceptible to illness; some plants are susceptible to frost. In stories, a susceptible person is easily fooled or persuaded. Phrases: «susceptible to», «highly susceptible».

Examples

• Young babies are more susceptible to colds. tree →
• Some plants are susceptible to frost. tree →
• (formal) Children are susceptible to advertising. tree →
• People with fair skin are more susceptible to sunburn. tree →
• Wooden houses are susceptible to termites. tree →
• He is very susceptible to flattery. tree →
• Wear a hat — you're susceptible to sunburn. tree →

Note

Always followed by «to». Note spelling: «susc-», with «sc» making an «s» sound, and «-ible». Noun: «susceptibility». Similar to «vulnerable», but «susceptible» stresses being easily affected by something specific.