receptive

Willing to listen to new ideas and consider accepting them.

• She was receptive to my suggestion.
• We found a receptive audience for our ideas.
• Are the managers receptive to change?

How to use it: receptive to something (The team was receptive to feedback.)

Similar words: open, open-minded

Opposites: unreceptive

Common phrases: receptive to something, receptive audience

Able to take in something, such as signals or substances.

• The cells remain receptive to signals.
• The treatment makes the surface more receptive to dye.
• These tissues are receptive to outside stimuli.

How to use it: receptive to something (The material is receptive to moisture.)

Common phrases: receptive surface, receptive cells

Related to understanding words that you hear or read.

• The test measures receptive vocabulary.
• Her receptive language skills are stronger than her speaking skills.
• Listening exercises can improve receptive understanding.

Opposites: expressive

Common phrases: receptive language, receptive vocabulary

Ready to mate or able to receive pollen for reproduction.

• The female is now receptive.
• Pollen must reach the flower while its stigma is receptive.
• The males approach receptive females during the breeding season.

Similar words: fertile

Common phrases: receptive female, receptive stigma