reasonable

[ree-zuh-nuh-buhl, reez-nuh-]

adjective

1. agreeable to reason or sound judgment; logical.

   a reasonable choice for chairman.

   Synonyms: wise, judicious, intelligent, equitable

2. not exceeding the limit prescribed by reason; not excessive.

   reasonable terms.

   Synonyms: just, fair, equitable

3. moderate, especially in price; not expensive.

   The coat was reasonable but not cheap.

4. endowed with reason.

5. capable of rational behavior, decision, etc.

reasonable

/ ˈriːzənəbəl /

adjective

1. showing reason or sound judgment

2. having the ability to reason

3. having modest or moderate expectations; not making unfair demands

4. moderate in price; not expensive

5. fair; average

   reasonable weather

Other Word Forms

• reasonably adverb
• reasonableness noun
• reasonability noun
• half-reasonable adjective
• half-reasonably adverb
• nonreasonability noun
• nonreasonable adjective
• nonreasonableness noun
• nonreasonably adverb
• quasi-reasonable adjective
• quasi-reasonably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of reasonable¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English resonable, from Middle French raisonnable, from Latin ratiōnābilis. See reason, -able

Idioms and Phrases

see beyond a (reasonable) doubt.

Synonym Study

Reasonable, rational refer to the faculty of reasoning. Rational can refer to the reasoning faculty itself or to something derived from that faculty: rational powers; a rational analysis. It can also mean sane or sensible: She was no longer rational; a rational plan. Reasonable most often means sensible: A reasonable supposition is one which appeals to our common sense. See moderate.

Example Sentences

Our critic called the presentation “a reasonable fit for the students at a culturally welcoming institution such as Bard.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The BBC's decision to dismiss one of its radio presenters has been found "reasonable" by a judge at an employment tribunal.

Read more on BBC

“Our hope is that a lot of schools see that this is highly reasonable,” May Mailman, senior adviser for special projects at the White House, said last week.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“When the idea was reasonable, she was down to try things.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Not when Stewart just keeps climbing, outpacing any reasonable expectations along the way.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acceptable 
• cheap 
• equitable 
• fair 
• feasible 
• honest 
• humane 
• impartial 
• judicious 
• justifiable 
• legitimate 
• modest 
• objective 
• plausible 
• proper 
• prudent 
• rational 
• restrained 
• sane 
• sensible