common sense
noun
sound practical judgment that is independent of specialized knowledge, training, or the like; normal native intelligence.
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common sense
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Common Sense
Common Sense(1776) A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that called for the United States to declare independence from Britain immediately. Written in a brisk and pungent style, Common Sense had a tremendous impact and helped to persuade many Americans that they could successfully wage a war for their independence.
common sense
American
[kom-uhn sens]
/ ˈkɒm ən ˈsɛns /
noun
common sense
British
noun
adjective
Common Sense
Cultural
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of common sense
1525–35; translation of Latin sēnsus commūnis, itself translation of Greek koinḕ aísthēsis
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
“It is not the only fix we need, but it is the most common sense fix,” he said.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2026
This type of logic, which determines the law of the land by interpreting obscure bits of history over utilizing common sense, is what Gladwell calls “bananas.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026
Having these smarts without common sense is dangerous—but not necessarily immensely profitable.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026
"Although the whole process was somewhat challenging... everyone with common sense says the Turkish capital markets will be much healthier," he said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2026
“You must tell me who cuts your hair ...” Anyone with a lick of common sense knew how to deal with arrogant nobility.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
"We welcome rigorous independent evaluation, but we do not believe Common Sense Media's testing accurately reflects how ChatGPT's teen safeguards work in practice or expert perspectives on how AI can support teens," he said.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
“Our review of Common Sense Media’s methodology shows that the bulk of their testing may have begun and concluded before activation of parental controls was complete, making their findings inaccurate.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026
The Youth AI Safety Institute, part of the nonprofit Common Sense Media, called on the artificial-intelligence lab to restrict usage of ChatGPT to people over the age of 18 until it can improve the guardrails.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
A 2025 study by Common Sense Media found nearly three in four American teenagers had used AI companions designed for personal conversations like those available on the platforms Character.AI,
From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026
After some consideration, I took out Common Sense, too, and stuck all of it in the pocket I wore under my skirt, alongside the false pass.
From "Chains" by Laurie Halse Anderson
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
