hypersensitive

[ hahy-per-sen-si-tiv ]

adjective

1. excessively sensitive:

   to be hypersensitive to criticism.

2. allergic to a substance to which persons do not normally react.

hypersensitive

/ ˌhaɪpəˈsɛnsɪtɪv /

adjective

1. having unduly vulnerable feelings
2. abnormally sensitive to an allergen, a drug, or other agent

Derived Forms

• ˌhyperˈsensitiveness, noun

Other Words From

• hyper·sensi·tive·ness hyper·sensi·tivi·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypersensitive¹

First recorded in 1870–75; hyper- + sensitive

Example Sentences

A post-mortem examination found Hannah died after suffering a hypersensitive anaphylactic reaction triggered by an ingredient in her hot chocolate causing an allergic response.

From BBC

The death of a 13-year-old girl who died of a hypersensitive anaphylactic reaction after drinking a Costa Coffee hot chocolate should be a "wake up call" to all food companies, campaigners say.

From BBC

A post-mortem examination found Hannah died after suffering from a hypersensitive anaphylactic reaction triggered by an ingredient in her hot chocolate that caused an allergic response.

From BBC

My hypersensitive, medically fragile body felt safe.

From Slate

“I do find it strange since I’m hypersensitive to how others are feeling at any given moment in addition to how I’m feeling at any given moment,” Corazon said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• capricious
• erratic
• excitable
• fickle
• headstrong
• high-strung
• impatient
• irritable
• mercurial
• moody
• ornery
• passionate
• petulant
• thin-skinned
• unpredictable
• unreliable
• unstable
• volatile