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Synonyms

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.


common sense British  

noun

  1. plain ordinary good judgment; sound practical sense

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. inspired by or displaying sound practical sense

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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.


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.

The universities said they "strongly reject" that in-person, timetabled weekend teaching is classified as "distance learning", arguing it "defies common sense".

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

“Under this Court’s precedents, not to mention common sense, those circumstances taken together can constitute at least reasonable suspicion of illegal presence,” he said in a concurrence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

It goes against international law and common sense.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2026

There was a common core to it, which was: Use your common sense, man.

From Slate • Mar. 4, 2026

The events that unfolded as Europe careened toward catastrophe appeared to defy logic and common sense.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman