common sense
Americannoun
noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
- common-sense adjective
- commonsense adjective
- commonsensible adjective
- commonsensibly adverb
- commonsensical adjective
- commonsensically adverb
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.
Koch has already said she will miss the "teamwork and camaraderie" and the "common sense of purpose on the mission".
From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026
And an underdog who stayed in the contest in defiance of steep odds and, seemingly, common sense.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026
It goes against international law and common sense.
From Salon • Mar. 19, 2026
“But he was kind of one of the lighthouses of integrity and common sense and spoke truth to power, but also got the powers to speak to one another.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026
By now Big Ma had worn herself out scolding me in the names of our family and my lack of good common sense.
From "P.S. Be Eleven" by Rita Williams-Garcia
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Definitions 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.