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Sensitise vs. Sensitize — What's the Difference?

By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 27, 2024
Sensitise typically refers to making someone or something responsive to external conditions, while Sensitize, its American English variant, means the same.
Sensitise vs. Sensitize — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Sensitise and Sensitize

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Key Differences

Sensitise is a term more commonly used in British English, indicating the process of making someone or something more aware of, or responsive to, a certain stimulus. For instance, sensitising skin to light involves exposure to specific substances that increase light sensitivity. On the other hand, Sensitize follows the same concept but is preferred in American English. It is widely used in both medical and social contexts, such as sensitizing the public to the needs of people with disabilities.
While sensitise is often associated with physical or physiological reactions, such as sensitising the immune system to an allergen, Sensitize can also encompass emotional or social responsiveness. For example, a campaign might aim to sensitize people to the impacts of climate change, focusing on emotional engagement and understanding.
In scientific contexts, sensitise might be used to describe the process by which cells or organisms are made more responsive to external stimuli. Conversely, Sensitize is employed in similar scientific discussions within American publications, ensuring that the terminology is consistent with the preferred spelling conventions of the audience.
The choice between sensitise and Sensitize can also reflect the writer's or speaker's cultural or linguistic background. British English speakers might naturally opt for sensitise in their writings and conversations, whereas American English speakers tend to use Sensitize, reflecting the broader differences between these two variants of English.
Despite their spelling differences, both terms carry the same implications in professional settings. Whether in healthcare, environmental advocacy, or education, sensitise and Sensitize refer to the act of increasing sensitivity or responsiveness, with the choice of term largely depending on the geographic or cultural context.
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Comparison Chart

Preferred Spelling Region

British English
American English

Usage Context

More common in UK and related territories
More common in the US and related territories

Example Contexts

Medical, social awareness, environmental
Medical, social awareness, environmental

Phonetic Spelling

/ˈsɛnsɪtaɪz/
/ˈsɛnsɪtaɪz/

Cultural Connotation

Often used in contexts emphasizing British English norms
Often used with an American English audience in mind

Compare with Definitions

Sensitise

To prepare for a chemical reaction.
The lab technician will sensitise the film before exposing it to light.

Sensitize

To make aware of a social issue.
The campaign's goal is to sensitize the community to the challenges faced by the homeless.

Sensitise

To make sensitive.
The exposure to pollen may sensitise the nasal passages, causing an allergic reaction.

Sensitize

To make sensitive.
Using certain skincare products can sensitize your skin to sunlight.

Sensitise

To make aware of a social issue.
The workshop aims to sensitise employees to the importance of diversity in the workplace.

Sensitize

To prepare for a chemical reaction.
Sensitizing the paper is a crucial step in traditional photography processes.

Sensitise

To increase responsiveness to stimulation.
Repeated exposure to sunlight can sensitise the skin, leading to quicker sunburns.

Sensitize

To increase responsiveness to stimulation.
Long-term exposure to noise can sensitize individuals to sound, affecting their hearing threshold.

Sensitise

To adjust for heightened perception.
Adjusting the settings can sensitise the equipment to detect even minor changes.

Sensitize

To adjust for heightened perception.
Sensitizing the instrument allows it to pick up fainter signals.

Sensitise

(British spelling) sensitize

Sensitize

To make sensitive
"Solitude had sensitized him to the roughness of other people" (Jeffrey Eugenides).

Sensitise

Cause to sense; make sensitive;
She sensitized me with respect to gender differences in this traditional male-dominated society
My tongue became sensitized to good wine

Sensitize

To make (a film or plate) sensitive to light, especially to light of a specific wavelength.

Sensitise

Make sensitive to a drug or allergen;
Long-term exposure to this medicine may sensitize you to the allergen

Sensitize

To make hypersensitive or reactive to an antigen, such as pollen, especially by a second or repeated exposure.

Sensitise

Make (a material) sensitive to light, often of a particular colour, by coating it with a photographic emulsion;
Sensitize the photographic film

Sensitize

To become sensitive or hypersensitive.

Sensitise

Make sensitive or aware;
He was not sensitized to her emotional needs

Sensitize

To make (someone or something) sensitive or responsive to certain stimuli.

Sensitize

To make (someone) increasingly aware of, in a concerned or sensitive way.
Ever since the burglary, we've been more sensitized to home security issues.

Sensitize

(transitive) To render capable of being acted on by actinic rays of light.

Sensitize

To render sensitive, or susceptible of being easily acted on by the actinic rays of the sun; as, sensitized paper or plate.

Sensitize

Make sensitive or aware;
He was not sensitized to her emotional needs

Sensitize

Cause to sense; make sensitive;
She sensitized me with respect to gender differences in this traditional male-dominated society
My tongue became sensitized to good wine

Sensitize

Make sensitive to a drug or allergen;
Long-term exposure to this medicine may sensitize you to the allergen

Sensitize

Make (a material) sensitive to light, often of a particular colour, by coating it with a photographic emulsion;
Sensitize the photographic film

Common Curiosities

Can sensitise be used in a medical context?

Yes, it can refer to making the body more responsive to a substance.

Is there a difference in meaning between sensitise and Sensitize?

No, the difference lies in the regional spelling preference; the meanings are the same.

What is the American equivalent of sensitise?

Sensitize.

What role does sensitise play in allergy development?

It refers to the process by which the immune system becomes responsive to an allergen.

What does it mean to sensitise someone?

To make them more aware or responsive to a specific issue or stimulus.

Can sensitise be used interchangeably with Sensitize in academic writing?

It depends on the regional spelling conventions of the publication.

How can a campaign sensitise the public?

By raising awareness and understanding about a specific issue.

Is sensitise used in psychology?

Yes, it can describe making someone more aware of psychological stimuli or needs.

Does sensitising someone to environmental issues require repeated exposure?

Often, yes, as ongoing education and exposure can deepen understanding and responsiveness.

What is the process of sensitising in photography?

It involves treating material to make it more responsive to light.

Can you sensitise a device?

Yes, by adjusting it to be more responsive to certain stimuli.

How does sensitising to social issues benefit society?

It fosters empathy and understanding, leading to more inclusive communities.

Can foods sensitise the digestive system?

Yes, some foods can make the digestive system more responsive or intolerant.

Can exposure to art sensitise individuals to cultural differences?

Yes, it can enhance awareness and appreciation of diverse cultures.

How do educators sensitise students to historical injustices?

Through comprehensive education that includes diverse perspectives and stories.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.

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