common sense

See more synonyms for common sense on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

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

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 commonsensical

adj.

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

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.

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.