sensibility

American  

[sen-suh-bil-i-tee] / ˌsɛn səˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun

sensibilities plural

1. capacity for sensation or feeling; responsiveness or susceptibility to sensory stimuli.

2. mental susceptibility or responsiveness; quickness and acuteness of apprehension or feeling.

   Synonyms:

   awareness, alertness

3. keen consciousness or appreciation.

4. sensibilities, emotional capacities.

5. Sometimes sensibilities. liability to feel hurt or offended; sensitive feelings.

6. Often sensibilities. capacity for intellectual and aesthetic distinctions, feelings, tastes, etc..

   a man of refined sensibilities.

7. the property, as in plants or instruments, of being readily affected by external influences.

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sensibility British  

/ ˌsɛnsɪˈbɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. the ability to perceive or feel

2. (often plural) the capacity for responding to emotion, impression, etc

3. (often plural) the capacity for responding to aesthetic stimuli

4. mental responsiveness; discernment; awareness

5. (usually plural) emotional or moral feelings

   cruelty offends most people's sensibilities

6. the condition of a plant of being susceptible to external influences, esp attack by parasites

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Related Words

Sensibility, susceptibility, sensitiveness, sensitivity refer to capacity to respond to or be affected by something. Sensibility is, particularly, capacity to respond to aesthetic and emotional stimuli: the sensibility of the artist. Susceptibility is the state or quality of being impressionable and responsive, especially to emotional stimuli; in the plural it has much the same meaning as sensibility : a person of keen susceptibilities. Sensitiveness is the state or quality of being sensitive, of having a capacity of sensation and of responding to external stimuli: sensitiveness to light. Sensitivity is a special capability of being sensitive to physiological, chemical action or a tendency to be easily affected by the adverse reactions of others: the sensitivity of a nerve; sensitivity to criticism.

Other Word Forms

• hypersensibility
  noun
• nonsensibility
  noun
• unsensibility
  noun

Etymology

Origin of sensibility

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English sensibilite, from Middle French, from Late Latin sēnsibilitās. See sensible, -ity

Explanation

Sensibility is your ability to feel or be aware of something. Your artistic sensibility might allow you to understand even the most complex work of art. Sensibility often refers to your ability to respond to emotions or to appreciate artistic works — things that you sense rather than analyze logically. Your poetic sensibility might allow you to choose exactly the right word to create a particular tone when you’re writing. Sensibility can also refer to your sensitivity to good or bad impressions — it’s sort of like your feelings. Used in this way, the word is often plural. Your brother’s thoughtless remarks may offend your sensibilities.

Example Sentences

Had it heeded a more malevolent sensibility than an instinct to overexplain, it might have been more ruthlessly effective at yucking our yum for road trips.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

These are aspects of the gothic sensibility, of course; they might also, for a clergyman’s daughter, have come from a different guiding philosophy.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

“Boosters” is a rascally, freewheeling comedy touched by an absurdist sensibility, but it’s also deeply attuned to issues of workers’ rights and structures of power.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

More recently, artists including Laufey and Elliot James Reay have also leaned into the era’s sensibility and soundscape, while perennial favorites Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox often reimagine modern hits in a vintage style.

From Salon • May 15, 2026

But perhaps the enthusiastic sensibility of young women of her age also played a role.

From "The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka

Related Words

• affection
• emotion
• feeling
• insight
• sense
• sensitivity
• sentiment
• taste