reasonable

[ree-zuh-nuh-buhl, reez-nuh-]

adjective

1. agreeable to reason or sound judgment; logical.

   a reasonable choice for chairman.

   Synonyms: wise, judicious, intelligent, equitable

2. not exceeding the limit prescribed by reason; not excessive.

   reasonable terms.

   Synonyms: just, fair, equitable

3. moderate, especially in price; not expensive.

   The coat was reasonable but not cheap.

4. endowed with reason.

5. capable of rational behavior, decision, etc.

reasonable

/ ˈriːzənəbəl /

adjective

1. showing reason or sound judgment

2. having the ability to reason

3. having modest or moderate expectations; not making unfair demands

4. moderate in price; not expensive

5. fair; average

   reasonable weather

Other Word Forms

• reasonably adverb
• reasonableness noun
• reasonability noun
• half-reasonable adjective
• half-reasonably adverb
• nonreasonability noun
• nonreasonable adjective
• nonreasonableness noun
• nonreasonably adverb
• quasi-reasonable adjective
• quasi-reasonably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of reasonable¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English resonable, from Middle French raisonnable, from Latin ratiōnābilis. See reason, -able

Idioms and Phrases

see beyond a (reasonable) doubt.

Synonym Study

Reasonable, rational refer to the faculty of reasoning. Rational can refer to the reasoning faculty itself or to something derived from that faculty: rational powers; a rational analysis. It can also mean sane or sensible: She was no longer rational; a rational plan. Reasonable most often means sensible: A reasonable supposition is one which appeals to our common sense. See moderate.

Example Sentences

The legislation comes after the Supreme Court ruled that immigration enforcement stops in LA could continue for the time being without officers needing reasonable suspicion that a person may not be in the US legally.

From BBC

By any reasonable standard, the president’s first 100 days in office were historic.

From Salon

It also states that "genocidal intent was the only reasonable inference" that could be concluded from the pattern of conduct of Israeli authorities and security forces in Gaza.

From BBC

“Obviously,” he added, “it’s not reasonable for us to ask for that in-season.”

From Los Angeles Times

“That would be a very rational reasonable approach. Anything to prevent this man from being around kids.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acceptable 
• cheap 
• equitable 
• fair 
• feasible 
• honest 
• humane 
• impartial 
• judicious 
• justifiable 
• legitimate 
• modest 
• objective 
• plausible 
• proper 
• prudent 
• rational 
• restrained 
• sane 
• sensible