A quantitative analysis of intramolecular charge transfer contribution to polarizability responses in donor-π-acceptor molecules

► Intramolecular charge transfer contribution to global polarizability is quantitatively assessed for D-π-A molecules. ► Local and charge transfer polarizabilities with explicit physical meanings are defined. ► Correlations of charge transfer polarizability with D/A pair, conjugation path, and solvent effect are revealed.