Word
empathetic
Phoneticsem·pa·thet·ic, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɛmpəˈθɛtɪk/
UK/ˌɛmpɐθˈɛtɪk/
Definition
adj. able to understand and share the feelings of others. You use this to describe someone who is kind and sensitive to how other people feel.
adj. capable of understanding and sharing the feelings of another. Often used to describe a person's emotional intelligence or a system's ability to respond to user needs.
Examples
“She is very empathetic and always listens to her friends.”
“The new software is designed to be more empathetic, responding to the user's frustration with a calming tone.”
“A truly empathetic leader does not merely hear the concerns of their team but actively seeks to understand the underlying emotional states that drive those concerns.”
Examples
simple
“She is very empathetic and always listens to her friends.”
contextual
“The new software is designed to be more empathetic, responding to the user's frustration with a calming tone.”
complex
“A truly empathetic leader does not merely hear the concerns of their team but actively seeks to understand the underlying emotional states that drive those concerns.”
Confusables
Sympathetic means you feel pity for someone's hardship; empathetic means you actually share and understand their internal feelings.
RememberSympathy is feeling for; empathy is feeling with.
Real-World Examples
“The goal is not to force someone to admit they have a problem but to create a space for an honest and empathetic conversation.” “I don’t blame them, because there are studies showing that these LLMs are providing more empathetic advice, even if it’s not correct: it’s quicker and faster and it seems complete.” Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/empathetic