sensible
[sen-suh-buhl]
- having, using, or showing good sense or sound judgment: a sensible young woman.
- cognizant; keenly aware (usually followed by of): sensible of his fault.
- significant in quantity, magnitude, etc.; considerable; appreciable: a sensible reduction in price.
- capable of being perceived by the senses; material: the sensible universe.
- capable of feeling or perceiving, as organs or parts of the body.
- perceptible to the mind.
- conscious: The patient was speechless but still sensible.
- Archaic. sensitive.
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Origin of sensible
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com1. intelligent, sagacious, rational, reasonable. 2. conscious, understanding, observant. 4. perceptible, discernible, palpable.
Synonym study
1. See practical.
Antonyms
1. stupid.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
wisedown-to-earthshrewdlogicalpracticaljudicioussanerationalsoberprudentintelligentastuteattentiveawarecannycognizantcommonsensicalconsciousconsequentconversantExamples from the Web for sensible
Contemporary Examples
And in an environment where time is money, hooking up with an escort just might be the sensible thing to do.
Career-Minded Women Turn to Male Escorts For No-Strings Fun and (Maybe) SexAurora Snow
January 3, 2015
In The Sense of Style, Steven Pinker settles a war among the scolds with a sensible approach to usage.
The White House just launched a major initiative to implement a more modern, sensible drug policy.
Why Isn’t Prison Justice on the Ballot This Tuesday?Inimai Chettiar, Abigail Finkelman
November 1, 2014
The sensible answer is no, but di Giovannni gleaned much from those three years.
Writing—the next movie, the labels—is a sensible thing for a man grown distrustful of the camera to do.
Historical Examples
Then we wonder that respect for the law shows a sensible decrease!
'Tis Sixty Years SinceCharles Francis Adams
"My aunt will treat the affair like the sensible woman she is," replied the earl.
Weighed and WantingGeorge MacDonald
It is the sensible schemes, unfortunately, that are hopeless in England.
A Treatise on Parents and ChildrenGeorge Bernard Shaw
When a master does not consider what he is doing, a sensible servant should set him right.
The Imaginary InvalidMolire
All foreigners break their wives' hearts—Nelly's a sensible girl!
The Bacillus of BeautyHarriet Stark
sensible
- having or showing good sense or judgmenta sensible decision
- (of clothing) serviceable; practicalsensible shoes
- having the capacity for sensation; sensitive
- capable of being apprehended by the senses
- perceptible to the mind
- (sometimes foll by of) having perception; awaresensible of your kindness
- readily perceived; considerablea sensible difference
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- Also called: sensible note a less common term for leading note
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Word Origin
C14: from Old French, from Late Latin sēnsibilis, from Latin sentīre to sense
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for sensible
adj.
late 14c., "capable of sensation or feeling;" also "capable of being sensed or felt, perceptible to the senses," hence "easily understood; logical, reasonable," from Late Latin sensibilis "having feeling, perceptible by the senses," from sensus, past participle of sentire "perceive, feel" (see sense (n.)). Of persons, "aware, cognizant (of something)" early 15c.; "having good sense, capable of reasoning, discerning, clever," mid-15c. Of clothes, shoes, etc., "practical rather than fashionable" it is attested from 1855.
Other Middle English senses included "susceptible to injury or pain" (early 15c., now gone with sensitive); "worldly, temporal, outward" (c.1400); "carnal, unspiritual" (early 15c., now gone with sensual). Related: Sensibleness.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
sensible
(sĕn′sə-bəl)- Perceptible by the senses or by the mind.
- Having the faculty of sensation; able to feel or perceive.
- Having a perception of something; cognizant.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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