Word
susceptibility
Phoneticssus·cep·ti·bil·i·ty, stress on the fourth syllable
US/səˌsɛptəˈbɪɫəti/
UK/səsˌɛptɪbˈɪlɪti/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. the state of being easily affected, influenced, or harmed by something. If you have a high susceptibility to a cold, you catch it very easily.
n. the state or fact of being likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing. Often describes a lack of resistance to a disease or a tendency to be emotionally affected by external factors.
Examples
“Her susceptibility to allergies makes spring a difficult season.”
“The doctor discussed the patient's genetic susceptibility to heart disease during the annual check-up.”
“Researchers are investigating whether certain environmental pollutants increase the susceptibility of local wildlife to viral infections that were previously considered minor threats.”
Examples
simple
“Her susceptibility to allergies makes spring a difficult season.”
contextual
“The doctor discussed the patient's genetic susceptibility to heart disease during the annual check-up.”
complex
“Researchers are investigating whether certain environmental pollutants increase the susceptibility of local wildlife to viral infections that were previously considered minor threats.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the general state of being vulnerable; countable when referring to specific types of vulnerabilities. Often followed by the preposition 'to'.
Real-World Examples
“Even so, these genetic differences appear to establish a distinct biological starting point that could affect a person's susceptibility to disease.” “Besides the risks of monopoly, impediments to open science and susceptibility to manipulation, the researchers caution that this trend could critically undermine the overall reproducibility of science.” Etymology
From susceptible + -ity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/susceptibility