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

Derived Forms

• ˈreasonably, adverb
• ˈreasonableness, noun

Other Word Forms

• reason·a·ble·ness reason·a·bili·ty noun
• reason·a·bly adverb
• half-reason·a·ble adjective
• half-reason·a·bly adverb
• nonrea·son·a·bili·ty noun
• non·reason·a·ble adjective
• non·reason·a·ble·ness noun
• non·reason·a·bly adverb
• quasi-reason·a·ble adjective
• quasi-reason·a·bly 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

So it's really hard to understand how that could amount to a reasonable opportunity to seek due process protection if you're afforded not even 24 hours notice of your deportation.

From Salon

No, as much of a bummer as it may be to face it, the only reasonable option left is to fight back.

From Salon

She is also making four claims under the Equality Act: direct discrimination, discrimination arising from disability, failure to make reasonable adjustments, and harassment on the basis of disability.

From BBC

IVC told the BBC that where there is any reasonable doubt about the severity of a pet's condition, seeing it out of hours is the safest way to ensure its welfare.

From BBC

She added that she was "satisfied the ordinary reasonable reader would not have understood this tweet in the terms Mr Bridgen most fears".

From BBC

Related Words

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