What does sensitive mean?
Word: Sensitive
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Sensitive means easily hurt or upset, or quick to notice small changes. Sensitive skin gets red easily; a sensitive friend notices when you are sad.
Synonyms: touchy, caring
Antonyms: tough, insensitive
How do you spell sensitive?
Syllables: sen - si - tive
Tricky part: The middle vowel is i, not e or a, so the word is sen-si-tive. The e at the end is silent but must be there.
Watch out for: sensetive, sensative, sensitiv
Memory tip: Say it the way it is written, sen-si-tive: both beats after sen have an i, and a silent e closes the word.
Sensitive in a sentence
Example 1: My teeth are sensitive to cold drinks.
Example 2: Asha is sensitive and cries at sad films.
Example 3: A thermometer is sensitive to tiny changes in heat.
Fun Fact
Fingertips are among the most sensitive parts of the skin because they are packed with touch sensors.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) patient
b) sencitive
c) honest
d) curious
Show answer
b) sencitive. The s sound after the n in sensitive is spelt with s, not c; honest, curious and patient are all correct.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
sensittive
a) i
b) s
c) v
d) t
Show answer
d) t. Sensitive has one t, between its two i's.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
visnetesi
a) snesitive
b) sensitvie
c) sensitive
d) senistive
Show answer
c) sensitive. Say the word in three beats and place the letters in the order you hear them.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word:
sensitive
a) proud
b) cheerful
c) careless
d) delicate
Show answer
d) delicate. Sensitive skin and delicate skin both get hurt or red very easily.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Someone with sensitive eyes may find it hard to ____.
a) tell colours apart
b) look at bright light
c) read small print
d) see in the dark
Show answer
b) look at bright light
2. A sensitive child might ____ when teased.
a) tease back loudly
b) feel hurt for a long time
c) not notice at all
d) laugh along with everyone
Show answer
b) feel hurt for a long time
