common sense
- 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for common sense
Contemporary Examples
In California, Christie shot back: “That is not a heartless position, that is a common-sense position.”
And at the invitation of several governors, they have traveled to states to advocate for common-sense legislation.
They do so, inevitably, by finding our blind spots, and by exploiting our common-sense assumptions.
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 StallsHoward Kurtz
April 9, 2013
Other common-sense provisions, like limiting the size of clips?
Historical Examples
And can we expect the Father of us all to act in other than common-sense ways?
The Conquest of FearBasil King
He must be kind with a common-sense kindness, loving with a common-sense love.
The Conquest of FearBasil King
This was followed by a common-sense view of the whole situation.
The UnderdogF. Hopkinson Smith
Now, what in the name of common-sense did you buy that lamp for which you have just hung?
The UnderdogF. Hopkinson Smith
The question is the usual plain, straightforward, common-sense question.
Little DorritCharles Dickens
common sense
- plain ordinary good judgment; sound practical sense
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- inspired by or displaying sound practical sense
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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
n.
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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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.
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The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.