common sense

[kom-uhn sens]

noun

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

common sense

noun

1. plain ordinary good judgment; sound practical sense

adjective

1. inspired by or displaying sound practical sense

Common Sense

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
• commonsensical adjective
• commonsensible adjective
• commonsensically adverb
• commonsensibly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of common sense¹

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

Related Words

• good sense www.thesaurus.com
• horse sense 
• intelligence 
• practicality 
• rationality 
• rule of thumb 
• sense 
• sound judgment www.thesaurus.com
• sound sense www.thesaurus.com
• wisdom 
• wit