How to Pronounce Hypersensitivity
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Hypersensitivity Pronunciation
hy-per-sen-sih-TIV-ih-tee
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
hy
per
sen
sih
TIV
stress here
ih
tee
7 syllables
What is Hypersensitivity?
An unusually strong reaction to sensory input such as sound, light, touch, taste, or smell, where ordinary stimuli feel overwhelming or painful. It is commonly experienced by individuals with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental conditions.
Questions About Hypersensitivity
How do you pronounce 'hypersensitivity'?
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Say it like this: hy-per-sen-sih-TIV-ih-tee. Break it into six syllables, and put the stress on the fourth syllable, which is TIV. The first part sounds like "hi-per," the middle part sounds like "sen-sih," and the last part sounds like "tiv-ih-tee."
Which syllable do people stress incorrectly in 'hypersensitivity'?
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Many people mistakenly stress the third syllable (SEN) instead of the fourth syllable (TIV). Remember: hy-per-sen-sih-**TIV**-ih-tee, with the heavy emphasis on TIV, not SEN.
What does 'hypersensitivity' break down into as a word?
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The word has two main parts: "hyper-" (meaning "over" or "extra") and "sensitivity" (meaning "the ability to feel or notice things"). Put together, it means "extra-strong feeling or noticing of things."
What's a simple way to explain 'hypersensitivity' in everyday language?
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Hypersensitivity means having reactions that are much stronger than normal to things you see, hear, touch, taste, or smell. For example, a sound that doesn't bother most people might feel really loud and uncomfortable to someone with hypersensitivity.
How do you use 'hypersensitivity' in a sentence?
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Here's an example: "Her hypersensitivity to bright lights meant she needed to wear sunglasses indoors." Another example: "He described his hypersensitivity to certain textures as making some fabrics feel painful to wear."
What other medical words share the root 'hyper-'?
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Words like "hyperactive," "hypertension," and "hyperventilation" all start with "hyper-," which means "over" or "more than normal." So they all describe things that are excessive or extreme in some way.
Is there a shorter way to write or say 'hypersensitivity'?
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The word is sometimes shortened to just "sensitivity" in everyday conversation, but the full term "hypersensitivity" is more precise because it specifically means an *unusually strong* reaction, not just regular sensitivity.
What does the prefix 'hyper-' come from?
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"Hyper-" comes from ancient Greek and means "over," "above," or "excessive." That's why it shows up in so many medical words when doctors want to describe something that is happening too much or in a stronger-than-normal way.