receptivity
C1Formal/Academic
Definition
Meaning
The state or quality of being able or willing to receive new ideas, suggestions, or impressions.
In technical contexts, it can refer to the physiological or psychological capacity to respond to a stimulus.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Focuses on the passive quality of being open and ready to receive, rather than actively seeking. Often used to describe a collective or personal state, such as a receptive audience or mind.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling of related words follows regional norms (e.g., 'receptive').
Connotations
Generally neutral or positive in both, suggesting openness. Can be negative in specific contexts implying gullibility.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties, with higher usage in academic and business contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
receptivity to + NOUN (e.g., receptivity to change)receptivity of + NOUN (e.g., receptivity of the market)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “An open mind (related concept)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to market or consumer willingness to accept new products or ideas.
Academic
Used in psychology, education, and communication studies to describe cognitive or emotional openness.
Everyday
Less common; used to describe someone's general openness to advice or new experiences.
Technical
In medicine or biology, refers to an organism's capacity to receive a pathogen or stimulus.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The new policy aims to encourage companies to become more receptive.
- He did not seem to receive the feedback well.
American English
- The training is designed to help leaders be more receptive to diverse viewpoints.
- She received the news with remarkable openness.
adverb
British English
- She listened receptively to the alternative proposal.
- He nodded receptively throughout the briefing.
American English
- The team responded receptively to the change in strategy.
- He smiled receptively, indicating he was open to the idea.
adjective
British English
- A receptive audience hung on the speaker's every word.
- The soil must be receptive to the new fertiliser.
American English
- Management was surprisingly receptive to our proposal for a four-day workweek.
- Her receptive attitude made her an excellent student.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher praised the class for their receptivity to the new topic.
- A good leader shows receptivity to the team's ideas.
- The success of the campaign depended largely on the public's receptivity to its core message.
- Her natural receptivity made her an excellent counsellor.
- The study measured neural receptivity to specific auditory stimuli.
- Cultural receptivity to innovation is a key driver of economic growth.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a RECEIVER in sport – it's ready and open to catch the ball. Receptivity is the state of being ready and open to catch new ideas.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MIND IS A CONTAINER (that can be open or closed).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'reception' (приём). 'Receptivity' is an abstract quality (восприимчивость, готовность воспринимать).
- Avoid the direct calque 'рецептивность' as it is very rare in Russian. Use 'восприимчивость' instead.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'His receptivity for criticism was low.' Correct: 'His receptivity to criticism was low.'
- Using it as an active synonym for 'acceptance' (it's a state, not an action).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'receptivity' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Receptivity is the open state *before* receiving, the willingness to consider. Acceptance is the action or state of agreeing or taking in after consideration.
Yes. In contexts like 'receptivity to propaganda' or 'receptivity to disease,' it implies a negative susceptibility or vulnerability.
'To' is the most common and standard preposition (receptivity to change/ideas/feedback). 'Of' is used less frequently, often in more formal or technical descriptions (the receptivity of the material).
No, it is a more formal, higher-level word (C1/C2). In everyday speech, people are more likely to use simpler terms like 'openness' or 'being open to' something.
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