sensible
Americanadjective
-
having, using, or showing good sense or sound judgment.
a sensible young woman.
- Synonyms:
- reasonable, rational, sagacious, intelligent
- Antonyms:
- stupid
-
cognizant; keenly aware (usually followed byof ).
sensible of his fault.
- Synonyms:
- observant, understanding, conscious
-
significant in quantity, magnitude, etc.; considerable; appreciable.
a sensible reduction in price.
-
capable of being perceived by the senses; material.
the sensible universe.
- Synonyms:
- palpable, discernible, perceptible
-
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.
adjective
-
having or showing good sense or judgment
a sensible decision
-
(of clothing) serviceable; practical
sensible shoes
-
having the capacity for sensation; sensitive
-
capable of being apprehended by the senses
-
perceptible to the mind
-
(sometimes foll by of) having perception; aware
sensible of your kindness
-
readily perceived; considerable
a sensible difference
noun
Synonym Usage
See practical.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of sensible
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin sēnsibilis; equivalent to sense + -ible
Explanation
Sensible means practical and reasonable. If you're wearing sensible shoes, they're sturdy, comfortable, good for walking, and your feet don't hurt. If you're a sensible person, you're level-headed and calm, and you make wise decisions. Sensible may not sound exciting — who wants to be like a pair of galoshes, when you can be stilettos? But sensible is the voice of reason, and when you're tooling along in your convertible, you'll be grateful for the sensible 15-mile-per-hour speed limit posted at that sharp turn where the road drops off into the canyon. Sensible comes from the Latin sensibilis, meaning "perceptible by the senses," a meaning that eventually evolved into "having good sense, reasonable."
Vocabulary lists containing sensible
Positive Adjectives to Describe People
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Common Senses: Sent, Sens ("Feel")
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"The Witches" by Roald Dahl, Chapters 1–5
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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.
The cost of these services go up and down depending on whether stocks go up or down, hardly a sensible way to measure price changes.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026
In a recent lament, the New York Times waves at unnamed “many experts” to say this was a sensible way to foster an EV industry.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
"We have wellbeing hubs already – I think having one dedicated to women's and girls' issues is not only sensible, it is also appropriate," Osbourne said.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
That victory led, four years later, to the Coastal Act and creation of the Coastal Commission, whose job was to balance sensible development, habitat protection and conservation, and equitable public access.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 11, 2026
It was an idea that was both sensible and utterly senseless.
From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day
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.
