# empathetic

/ˌɛmpəˈθɛtɪk/ (US) · /ˌɛmpɐθˈɛtɪk/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/empathetic
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.