What does susceptive mean?
Susceptive means open to influence, impression, or emotional effect. It describes a person who is easily affected by arguments, persuasion, sympathy, or other impressions, as well as, more formally, a thing that is capable of receiving a particular quality or condition. The word can suggest receptiveness, but it may also carry a hint of vulnerability or suggestibility. In person-related contexts, it sounds literary or old-fashioned and is less usual than susceptible; in technical or descriptive contexts, it may indicate that something readily receives another material, influence, or condition. Its uncommon status makes it especially useful when a writer wants to emphasize both openness and potential ease of influence without using the more familiar susceptible.
adjectiveCapable of receiving or being influenced by something; readily open to a particular impression, influence, or condition.
- Open or readily responsive to an influence, impression, or emotional effect.
- Receiving or admitting something; capable of being affected in a particular way.
"The young critic was highly susceptive to the persuasive arguments of the older artists."
"His susceptive nature made him an ideal audience for the storyteller."
"The material is susceptive to moisture and should be stored in a dry place."
Susceptive is the uncommon adjective behind the familiar word susceptible: it describes a mind or thing that is ready to receive an impression or influence.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of susceptive
Susceptive comes through Latin, from susceptivus, meaning capable of receiving or admitting, and ultimately from suscipere, “to receive” or “to undertake.” The root combines sub-, “under,” with capere, “to take.” English also has the more familiar derivatives susceptible and susceptibility, which share the same Latin ancestry; suscipient is a less common related word associated with receiving.
How susceptive is actually used
Susceptive is uncommon and sounds formal or archaic. It is especially associated with being receptive to influence or impressions; “susceptive of” is a traditional construction, but modern usage often favors “susceptible to.”
Easily confused with susceptive
Susceptive is a rarer, more formal adjective meaning open to influence or impressions, while susceptible is the much more common word with a similar meaning.