common sense

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noun

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

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Origin of common sense

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

Related formscom·mon-sense, com·mon·sense, adjectivecom·mon·sen·si·cal, com·mon·sen·si·ble, adjectivecom·mon·sen·si·cal·ly, com·mon·sen·si·bly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for common sense

In California, Christie shot back: “That is not a heartless position, that is a common-sense position.”
How Chris Christie is Winning Over Hispanics|David Freedlander|November 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And at the invitation of several governors, they have traveled to states to advocate for common-sense legislation.
Newtown Six-Month Anniversary: The Victims Deserve More|Rob Cox|June 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
They do so, inevitably, by finding our blind spots, and by exploiting our common-sense assumptions.
The Big Idea: Why Forgeries Are Great Art|Jonathon Keats|April 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Having failed to avoid that meat ax, the two sides are unlikely to forge a common-sense agreement now.
Washington Is Waiting for Godot as President Obama’s Second-Term Agenda Stalls|Howard Kurtz|April 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Other common-sense provisions, like limiting the size of clips?
The Gun-Control Fight Harry Reid Can’t Win|David Freedlander|January 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Many of the middle-aged disciples of the Church of Common-sense are still in our midst.
Oxford|Andrew Lang
This is not a paradox, but a common-sense question, as the following suggestive little incident will show.
A Librarian's Open Shelf|Arthur E. Bostwick
I only merely strives fur to use the few grains of common-sense w'ich the Good Lawd give me, tha's all 'tis.
J. Poindexter, Colored|Irvin Shrewsbury Cobb
This is only true at most of the disjointed experience employed by common-sense.
A New Philosophy: Henri Bergson|Edouard le Roy
While the others were reaching conclusions through their feelings alone, he was taking the common-sense view of the case.
Down The River|Oliver Optic

British Dictionary definitions for common sense

common sense

noun

plain ordinary good judgment; sound practical sense

adjective common-sense, common-sensical

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

Word Origin and History for common sense

common sense

14c., originally the power of uniting mentally the impressions conveyed by the five physical senses, thus "ordinary understanding, without which one is foolish or insane" (Latin sensus communis, Greek koine aisthesis); meaning "good sense" is from 1726. Also, as an adjective, commonsense.

Culture definitions for 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

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of common sense

Examples from the Web for common sense

British Dictionary definitions for common sense

common sense

noun

adjective common-sense, common-sensical

Word Origin and History for common sense

common sense

Culture definitions for common sense

Common Sense