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
• 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

Ultimately, this comes down to common sense, in whatever situation arises.

From BBC

To most people this sounds like common sense.

From The Wall Street Journal

For some, the Bayesian framework is essentially a working definition of rationality or common sense: As one learns more, one’s views change—whether about the weather or the deadliness of a disease like Covid-19.

From The Wall Street Journal

In “Walden,” he found constant wonder in the obvious; in “Civil Disobedience,” he mined moral profundity out of common sense.

From The Wall Street Journal

And an underdog who stayed in the contest in defiance of steep odds and, seemingly, common sense.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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