Word
susceptible
Phoneticssus·cep·ti·ble, stress on the second syllable
US/səˈsɛptəbəɫ/
UK/səsˈɛptəbəl/
Definitions
01vulnerable to illness
C1 · Advanced Medicine Technical
adj. likely to be affected by a particular disease or medical condition.
adj. yielding readily to a pathogen or medical condition; lacking immunity or resistance.
“Older people are often more susceptible to the flu during the winter months.”
“Patients with compromised immune systems remain highly susceptible to opportunistic infections that healthy individuals would easily repel.”
Usage
Usually followed by the preposition 'to'.
Synonyms
02easily influenced
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. easily influenced or affected by emotions or other people's ideas.
adj. easily influenced by feelings, suggestions, or the persuasive efforts of others.
“He was very susceptible to flattery and believed everything his boss told him.”
“The advertisement was specifically designed to target young consumers who are often more susceptible to social pressure and trend-driven marketing.”
Usage
Usually followed by the preposition 'to'.
Synonyms
03capable of being changed
C2 · Proficiency Academic · Formal
adj. able to be treated, changed, or understood in a certain way.
adj. capable of undergoing a specific process or being interpreted in a particular manner.
“The problem is susceptible to a simple solution if we look at the data.”
“The poet's later works are susceptible to various interpretations, depending on the reader's understanding of the historical context.”
Usage
Usually followed by the preposition 'to'.
04an at-risk person
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Medicine Technical
n. a person who is likely to catch a disease because they have no protection against it.
n. an individual within a population who lacks immunity to a specific infectious agent.
“The goal of the vaccine is to protect the susceptibles in the community.”
“Epidemiologists track the ratio of susceptibles to immune individuals to predict how quickly a virus might spread through a city.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “susceptible” in context.
Adjective
01. particularly susceptible
“Young children are particularly susceptible to seasonal allergies during the spring.”
adv + adj
02. susceptible to
“The elderly are often more susceptible to infections due to a weakened immune system.”
adj + prep
Real-World Examples
“Likewise, water shortages and stress from high temperatures, salinity and hypoxia can make hosts more susceptible to infection.” “While mange affects well-cared-for household pets at low rates, occurrence among unvaccinated shelter dogs and strays can top 26%, and dogs of all ages, breeds and sexes are susceptible.” Etymology
From Late Latin susceptibilis, from Latin susceptus, from suscipiō.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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