# responsiveness

/ɹɪˈspɑnsɪvnəs/ (US) · /ɹɪspˈɒnsɪvnəs/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/responsiveness
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

the quality of reacting quickly and in a positive way to something. It shows how well a person or a machine answers a request or a change.

For teachers: the quality of reacting quickly and appropriately to a stimulus, request, or change. Often used to describe the efficiency of customer service or the speed of a computer system.

## Examples

- The company is famous for its responsiveness to customer complaints.
- The new software update significantly improved the system's responsiveness when multiple applications are open.
- Political analysts often measure the health of a democracy by the responsiveness of elected officials to the evolving needs and concerns of their constituents.

## Usage notes

- Often paired with the preposition 'to' followed by the stimulus or group being addressed.

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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.