sensible

[sen-suh-buhl]

adjective

1. having, using, or showing good sense or sound judgment.

   a sensible young woman.

   Synonyms: reasonable, rational, sagacious, intelligent
   Antonyms: stupid

2. cognizant; keenly aware (usually followed byof ).

   sensible of his fault.

   Synonyms: observant, understanding, conscious

3. significant in quantity, magnitude, etc.; considerable; appreciable.

   a sensible reduction in price.

4. capable of being perceived by the senses; material.

   the sensible universe.

   Synonyms: palpable, discernible, perceptible

5. capable of feeling or perceiving, as organs or parts of the body.

6. perceptible to the mind.

7. conscious.

   The patient was speechless but still sensible.

8. Archaic.,  sensitive.

sensible

/ ˈsɛnsɪbəl /

adjective

1. having or showing good sense or judgment

   a sensible decision

2. (of clothing) serviceable; practical

   sensible shoes

3. having the capacity for sensation; sensitive

4. capable of being apprehended by the senses

5. perceptible to the mind

6. (sometimes foll by of) having perception; aware

   sensible of your kindness

7. readily perceived; considerable

   a sensible difference

noun

1. Also called: sensible note. a less common term for leading note

Other Word Forms

• sensibleness noun
• sensibly adverb
• nonsensible adjective
• nonsensibleness noun
• nonsensibly adverb
• oversensible adjective
• oversensibleness noun
• oversensibly adverb
• unsensible adjective
• unsensibleness noun
• unsensibly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sensible¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin sēnsibilis; equivalent to sense + -ible

Word History and Origins

Origin of sensible¹

C14: from Old French, from Late Latin sēnsibilis, from Latin sentīre to sense

Synonym Study

See practical.

Example Sentences

The idea is that residents within the ST postcode can open savings, and loans accounts, with a "sensible" interest rate of just a few percent per year.

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Caterpillar guides for margins based on sales ranges, a sensible strategy given the cyclical nature of mining and construction markets.

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Head teachers said the review's recommendations were "sensible" but would require "sufficient funding and teachers".

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However, one industry source to the BBC that "it would be an entirely sensible decision" to delay publication.

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Flashbacks illustrate who Gacy’s victims were to the people who knew and loved them, landing on the more sensitive and sensible view that they saw Gacy as trustworthy, upstanding, and therefore unthreatening.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• astute 
• down-to-earth 
• intelligent 
• judicious 
• logical 
• practical 
• prudent 
• rational 
• sane 
• shrewd 
• sober 
• wise