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• common sense
  common sense

  noun

  sound practical judgment that is independent of specialized knowledge, training, or the like; normal native intelligence.
• 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

1. sound practical judgment that is independent of specialized knowledge, training, or the like; normal native intelligence.

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common sense British  

noun

1. plain ordinary good judgment; sound practical sense

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adjective

1. inspired by or displaying sound practical sense

Common Sense Cultural  

1. (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.

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Other Word Forms

• common-sense
  adjective
• commonsense
  adjective
• commonsensible
  adjective
• commonsensical
  adjective
• commonsensibly
  adverb
• commonsensically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of common sense

1525–35; translation of Latin sēnsus commūnis, itself translation of Greek koinḕ aísthēsis

Example Sentences

Nearly one third of parents say their children under age 8 have used AI for school-related material, according to Common Sense Media, which surveyed more than 1,500 families.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

Paul Sullivan, national vice chair of Veterans for Common Sense, says the right strategy centers on trust between veterans and the VA.

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026

Jim Steyer, the founder and chief executive officer of Common Sense, a non-profit American organisation that advocates child-friendly media policies.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2026

Ben Carlson, director of institutional asset management at Ritholtz Wealth Management, shares this chart on his Wealth of Common Sense blog that offers rationale for an outperformance by international stocks last year.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 20, 2026

I pulled out Common Sense from its hiding place and read by firelight.

From "Chains" by Laurie Halse Anderson

Related Words

• acumen
• good sense
• insight
• intelligence
• judgment
• logic
• practicality
• prudence
• rationality
• sense
• sound judgment
• wisdom
• wit