(physiology) responsiveness to external stimuli; the faculty of sensation
"sensitivity to pain"
the ability to respond to physical stimuli or to register small physical amounts or differences
"a galvanometer of extreme sensitivity"
"the sensitiveness of Mimosa leaves does not depend on a change of growth"
sensitivity to emotional feelings (of self and others)
"Her deep sensitivity to emotional feelings allowed her to notice even the slightest shift in her friend's mood."
susceptibility to a pathogen
"The patient's extreme sensitivity to the virus resulted in severe symptoms even from a minor exposure."
the ability to respond to affective changes in your interpersonal environment
"She showed great sensitivity by immediately noticing her friend's shift in mood and offering gentle support without being asked."
The quality or state of being sensitive; sensitiveness.
"The sensitivity of her skin made even a light breeze feel like an irritant."
In plain English: Sensitivity is how easily you notice small changes, feelings, or things around you.
"She showed great sensitivity when she heard her friend was going through a difficult time."
Usage: Use sensitivity to describe how easily something reacts to changes, such as emotional reactions or physical responses like skin irritation. It is often confused with sensibility when referring to good judgment, but that distinction rarely affects everyday usage where the word simply means responsiveness.
The word sensitivity comes from combining the adjective sensitive with the suffix -ity to form a noun. It entered English as a way to describe the quality of being easily affected or responsive to stimuli.