sane

¹

[seyn]

adjective

saner, sanest 

1. free from mental derangement; having a sound, healthy mind.

   a sane person.

2. having or showing reason, sound judgment, or good sense.

   sane advice.

   Synonyms: judicious, sensible, reasonable

3. sound; healthy.

SANE

²

[seyn]

noun

1. a private nationwide organization in the U.S., established in 1957, that opposes nuclear testing and advocates international peace.

sane

/ seɪn /

adjective

1. sound in mind; free from mental disturbance

2. having or showing reason, good judgment, or sound sense

3. obsolete,  healthy

Other Word Forms

• sanely adverb
• saneness noun
• nonsane adjective
• nonsanely adverb
• nonsaneness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sane¹

First recorded in 1620–30, sane is from the Latin word sānus healthy

Origin of sane²

Official shortening of its byname Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy

Word History and Origins

Origin of sane¹

C17: from Latin sānus healthy

Example Sentences

Entire cottage industries now exist to exploit men who don’t have enough social support to keep them sane and out of trouble.

Read more on Salon

What sane person on Earth would confidently conclude in early 2007, smack dab in the midst of the mother of all teaser rate scams, that the subprime fallout will not result in contagion?

Read more on Literature

First up: an explanation from Emile Bouret, my personal coach, of why wealthy and otherwise sane people are attracted to hitting eye-watering speeds in the first place.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Benkired was examined by psychiatric experts and found to have "psychopathic" traits but otherwise sane.

Read more on BBC

When asked what he felt about his captors, he said: "It will take two generations to bring some sanity in them and they need a sane leadership."

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• balanced 
• fair-minded 
• healthy 
• intelligent 
• levelheaded 
• logical 
• lucid 
• normal 
• prudent 
• rational 
• sensible 
• sober 
• wise