hypersensitively
|hy-per-sen-si-tive-ly|
🇺🇸
/ˌhaɪpərˈsɛnsɪtɪvli/
🇬🇧
/ˌhaɪpə(r)ˈsɛnsɪtɪvli/
(hypersensitive)
overly sensitive
Etymology
'hypersensitively' originates from Greek and Latin elements: the prefix 'hyper-' (Greek 'hyper', meaning 'over' or 'beyond') combined with 'sensitive' (from Latin 'sensitivus', from 'sentire', meaning 'to feel'), with the adverbial suffix '-ly' added in modern English.
'hypersensitive' was formed in Modern English by combining Greek 'hyper-' + English 'sensitive' (from Old French 'sensitif' / Latin 'sensitivus' derived from 'sentire'). The adverb 'hypersensitively' is the adjectival base plus the English adverbial suffix '-ly'.
Initially the elements conveyed 'overly feeling' or 'excessively responsive to feeling'; over time this evolved into the current sense of being excessively responsive to physical stimuli, emotions, or criticism ('excessively sensitive').
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the quality or state of being excessively or abnormally sensitive. (Derived noun related to 'hypersensitive'.)
Her hypersensitivity made it hard for her to accept feedback.
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Adjective 1
having an unusually strong or excessive sensitivity (to physical stimuli, emotional cues, or criticism). (This is the base form of the adverb 'hypersensitively'.)
He is hypersensitive about comments on his work.
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Adverb 1
in a manner that is excessively or abnormally sensitive; reacting strongly to slight stimuli, criticism, or emotional cues.
She reacted hypersensitively to the tiniest hint of criticism.
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Last updated: 2025/09/29 03:16