receptively

Meanings

1. 1adverb

   in a way that shows willingness to listen to or accept new ideas or suggestions

   Grammar: Modifies a verb: listen receptively, respond receptively. Often used in formal or academic writing.

   Patterns

   • listen receptively to someone
   • respond receptively
   • receptively accept something

   The team listened receptively to the customer's complaints.

   She nodded receptively as he explained his plan.

   Students who read receptively tend to understand texts more deeply.

2. 2adverbtechnical

   in a way that relates to receiving information, especially in language learning (listening and reading)

   Grammar: Used in technical descriptions of language skills, contrasting with 'productively' (speaking and writing).

   Patterns

   • use language receptively
   • understand something receptively

   In this course, students practice using vocabulary receptively before they produce it.

   The test measures how well learners process English receptively.

Common combinations

listen receptively

He listened receptively to the criticism and then made changes.

respond receptively

The audience responded receptively to the new proposal.

use language receptively

Young children use language receptively long before they speak.

Synonyms and how they differ

openly

Focuses on lack of secrecy or prejudice; 'receptively' emphasizes willingness to receive ideas.

attentively

Means paying close attention; 'receptively' adds a sense of being ready to accept what is said.

Opposites

Word family

receptive adjective

willing to listen to or accept ideas

receptivity noun

the quality of being willing to accept ideas

reception noun

the act of receiving or a formal party

Commonly confused: receptively or respectively?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “receptively”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words