As an expert in the field of communication and human behavior, I can provide a detailed explanation of the term "non-responsive." The term "non-responsive" can be used in various contexts, but it generally refers to a lack of reaction or reply to a stimulus, communication, or request. When applied to people, it can mean that an individual is not providing any verbal or physical response to questions, prompts, or any form of communication. This could be due to a range of reasons, from simple disinterest or distraction to more serious medical conditions such as unconsciousness or coma. In a medical context, being non-responsive can be a critical situation that requires immediate attention. For example, if a patient does not respond to a doctor's attempts to communicate or to painful stimuli, it could indicate a serious health issue. In everyday use, if someone is described as non-responsive, it might simply mean they are ignoring or not acknowledging attempts to communicate with them, which can be considered rude or inconsiderate in social situations. To break down the word, "non-" is a prefix that means "not," and "responsive" comes from the word "response," which is a reaction to something. So, "non-responsive" means not reacting or not replying. read more >>

If someone can't or won't respond, we call them unresponsive. Depending on the context, a person's unresponsiveness can be just a bummer or a life-threatening condition. Take this word piece by piece. Un- means "not," as usual. A response is a reaction to something.read more >>