responsiveness: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Neutral
Quick answer
What does “responsiveness” mean?
The quality of reacting quickly and positively to someone or something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The quality of reacting quickly and positively to someone or something.
The capacity of a system or organism to adjust its behavior or state in reaction to an external stimulus, input, or change in conditions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major semantic differences. Slight preference in British English for 'responsiveness' in medical/biological contexts (e.g., drug responsiveness). In American business jargon, the term is more frequently used to describe customer service or UI/UX.
Connotations
Universally positive. In UK professional contexts, may carry a slightly more formal, measured tone. In US contexts, can be a buzzword in corporate and tech environments.
Frequency
More frequent in American English in business and technology discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “responsiveness” in a Sentence
responsiveness to + NPresponsiveness of + NPresponsiveness in + NP (area/field)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “responsiveness” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- The team reacted responsively to the crisis.
- He nodded responsively during the interview.
American English
- She answered responsively to every question.
- The system updates responsively in real time.
adjective
British English
- The new council was far more responsive to residents' complaints.
- A responsive touchscreen is essential.
American English
- We need a government more responsive to the people.
- The engine is surprisingly responsive for a family car.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Crucial metric for customer service teams and product design; e.g., 'The app's responsiveness to user feedback determined its success.'
Academic
Used in psychology, medicine, and political science; e.g., 'The study measured cortical responsiveness to auditory stimuli.'
Everyday
Often describes interpersonal communication; e.g., 'I appreciate your responsiveness to my messages.'
Technical
In computing, refers to system latency and UI fluidity; e.g., 'The framework prioritises mobile responsiveness.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “responsiveness”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “responsiveness”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “responsiveness”
- Using 'responsibility' instead of 'responsiveness'.
- Incorrect preposition: 'responsiveness for' (use 'responsiveness to').
- Overusing as a vague positive buzzword.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Responsibility' is about duty and accountability. 'Responsiveness' is about the speed and quality of reaction to stimuli or requests.
Typically, it's a positive quality. Its absence ('unresponsiveness', 'poor responsiveness') is negative. Contexts like 'hypersensitivity' might frame excessive responsiveness as problematic.
The preposition 'to' is most common, as in 'responsiveness to customer needs' or 'responsiveness to treatment'.
Yes, extensively. It refers to how quickly and smoothly a system, application, or website reacts to user input or loads data.
The quality of reacting quickly and positively to someone or something.
Responsiveness is usually formal/neutral in register.
Responsiveness: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈspɒnsɪvnəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈspɑːnsɪvnəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a RESPONSIVE NESS (a lake) that immediately forms ripples when you touch it — it reacts quickly to your touch.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESPONSIVENESS IS REACTIVE FLUIDITY (like water) / RESPONSIVENESS IS ATTUNED LISTENING.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'responsiveness' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?