sanity
Americannoun
-
the state of being sane; soundness of mind.
-
soundness of judgment.
- Synonyms:
- reasonableness, sensibleness, rationality, reason
noun
-
the state of being sane
-
good sense or soundness of judgment
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of sanity
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English sanite, from Latin sānitās; equivalent to sane + -ity
Explanation
Sanity is the opposite of insanity. When you have sanity, you're mentally healthy and not acting crazy. Sanity is a word for having a healthy state of mind — people with sanity don't have any loose marbles. Outside of mental hospitals, people often use this word in an exaggerated way when they've had a stressful, difficult day, shouting "I'm losing my sanity!" But if you actually lost your sanity, you'd need some serious medical attention. Besides, it usually takes more than one bad day to push someone over the edge.
Vocabulary lists containing sanity
Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Schooled
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
A Lesson Before Dying
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
"This notion of restoring truth and sanity is punitive. It's unnecessary. It's un-American, because great countries do not hide from their history. We learn from it," Spears said.
From Barron's ● May 17, 2026
“There is something ruthless and utterly devoid of sanity at the heart of this film industry, and I’ve never felt that darkness as clear as in ‘Mulholland Drive,’” she says.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 6, 2026
Is this the best way to handle the situation ethically while preserving our sanity, or are there better options?
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 29, 2026
Those who have called the president’s sanity into question have multiplied.
From Salon ● Apr. 17, 2026
For his own sanity, Shackleton played bridge and taught others how to play.
From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong
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.
