Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

common sense

See more synonyms for common sense on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. sound practical judgment that is independent of specialized knowledge, training, or the like; normal native intelligence.
Show More

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. 2018

Related Words for commonsensical

balanced, judicious, levelheaded, practical, prudent, rational, reasonable, sage, sapient, sound, wise, commonsense

Examples from the Web for commonsensical

Historical Examples of commonsensical

  • Her mother—so self-possessed, and commonsensical—to look and speak like this!

    The Forsyte Saga, Volume III.

    John Galsworthy

British Dictionary definitions for commonsensical

common sense

noun
  1. plain ordinary good judgment; sound practical sense
Show More
adjective common-sense, common-sensical
  1. inspired by or displaying sound practical sense
Show More
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 commonsensical

adj.

1860, from common sense, with ending as in nonsensical, etc.

Show More

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.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
commonsensical in Culture

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.

Show More
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.