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

The council said a "fair and reasonable offer" had been made.

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"The process fails to pass any reasonable test of judicial fairness - a point that has been made forcefully by both local and international legal experts," the party said.

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But platforms face the threat of $32 million fines if they fail to take "reasonable steps" to comply.

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Mueller said that requirement is “not very reasonable,” and that ISPs typically don’t comply due to how onerous it would be.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It’s also a reasonable assumption—and a reassurance—that uniformed U.S. military personnel would be maintaining those jets on Saudi soil.

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Related Words

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