hypersensitive

UK: /ˌhaɪpə^rˈsɛnsɪtɪv/

US: /ˌhaɪpɚˈsɛnsɪtɪv/

US: (hī′pər sen′si tiv)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

hy•per•sen•si•tive /ˌhaɪpɚˈsɛnsɪtɪv/   adj. 

1. too sensitive:
   The actor was hypersensitive to criticism.
2. Pathology allergic to a substance to which most people do not normally react.

hy•per•sen•si•tive•ness, hy•per•sen•si•tiv•i•ty /ˌhaɪpɚˌsɛnsɪˈtɪvɪti/  n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

hy•per•sen•si•tive  (hī′pər sen′si tiv), adj. 

1. excessively sensitive:
   to be hypersensitive to criticism.
2. allergic to a substance to which persons do not normally react.

• hyper- + sensitive 1870–75

hy′per•sen′si•tive•ness, hy′per•sen′si•tiv′i•ty, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

hypersensitive / ˌhaɪpəˈsɛnsɪtɪv/ adjective

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

ˌhyperˈsensitiveness, ˌhyperˌsensiˈtivity noun