sane
adjective
free from mental derangement; having a sound, healthy mind.
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sane
1 American
[seyn]
/ seɪn /
adjective
saner,
sanest
-
free from mental derangement; having a sound, healthy mind.
a sane person.
-
having or showing reason, sound judgment, or good sense.
sane advice.
- Synonyms:
- judicious, sensible, reasonable
-
sound; healthy.
SANE
2
American
[seyn]
/ seɪn /
noun
sane
British
/ seɪn /
adjective
-
sound in mind; free from mental disturbance
-
having or showing reason, good judgment, or sound sense
-
obsolete healthy
Other Word Forms
Etymology
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
Explanation
A sane person doesn't have any screws loose — in other words, they're free of mental illness and in a reasonable state of mind. You probably know that the word insane means crazy. Well, the opposite of insane is sane — or not crazy. A sane person is of sound mind and is mentally healthy. Sane people have good judgment, are reasonable, and can tell the difference between what's real and imagined. Whenever someone commits a crime or does something totally outlandish, people usually wonder if they're sane or not.
Vocabulary lists containing sane
Tears of a Tiger
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P.S. Be Eleven
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Unit 1: Vocabulary from Readings 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
What kept them sane was talking among themselves about memories of their past lives, Rumyantsev recalled.
From Barron's • May 8, 2026
Like James Gandolfini in “Loop,” or Daniel Kaluuya in “Get Out,” or Eddie Albert in “Green Acres,” Mr. Bonneville is playing the only bona-fide sane adult in a crowd beset by mental malfunction, i.e, agendas.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026
"It keeps me sane, keeps my mind at ease," he said.
From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026
“Is she right? Is she wrong? Is she psycho? Is she sane? Is she brilliant? Is she all of those things? Or none of them? You can’t pin her down,” Jonas explains.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026
He was my father, but I was not sure whether he was sane.
From "Kira-Kira" by Cynthia Kadohata
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
