sensible

[sen-suh-buhl]

See more synonyms for sensible on Thesaurus.com

adjective

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.

Origin of sensible

1325–75; Middle English < Old French < Latin sēnsibilis, equivalent to sēns(us) sense + -ibilis -ible

Related formssen·si·ble·ness, nounsen·si·bly, adverbnon·sen·si·ble, adjectivenon·sen·si·ble·ness, nounnon·sen·si·bly, adverbo·ver·sen·si·ble, adjectiveo·ver·sen·si·ble·ness, nouno·ver·sen·si·bly, adverbun·sen·si·ble, adjectiveun·sen·si·ble·ness, nounun·sen·si·bly, adverb

Synonyms for sensible

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1. intelligent, sagacious, rational, reasonable. 2. conscious, understanding, observant. 4. perceptible, discernible, palpable.

Synonym study

1. See practical.

Antonyms for sensible

1. stupid.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for sensibly

supposedly, officially, evidently, seemingly, intelligently, shrewdly, wittily, reasonably, rationally, logically, wisely, brilliantly, judiciously, skillfully, prudently, sensibly, substantially, physically, palpably, cheaply

Examples from the Web for sensibly

Contemporary Examples of sensibly

When hardworking people with limited food have the chance, they sensibly sit or lie, which costs much less energy than standing.
Is Your Chair Killing You? The Consequences of Comfort
Daniel E. Lieberman
October 14, 2013
The Queen, sensibly, spends all her holidays at Balmoral or Sandringham, where she can truly be assured of total privacy.
The Royals' Secret Lives as One Percenters
Tom Sykes
June 28, 2013
Others, like the ability to get into very narrow specialty products, are “advantages” that you have sensibly eschewed.
How to Save it and Where
Megan McArdle
February 19, 2013
Richard Holbrooke was a proud specimen of our national character—relentless, expansive, and sensibly patriotic.
An American in Full
Jonathan Alter
December 14, 2010
“Because we are product designers,” Hannes Koch says, sensibly.
My Art Basel Favorites
Anthony Haden-Guest
June 18, 2009

Historical Examples of sensibly

I own to you that my pride and my tenderness are sensibly wounded.
Tales And Novels, Volume 8 (of 10)
Maria Edgeworth
I was handsome, and my vanity was sensibly tickled by the metamorphosis.
Clarimonde
Thophile Gautier
"I am glad to hear you speak so sensibly, my young friend," said the Scotchman, kindly.
The Young Miner
Horatio Alger, Jr.
Some progress is sensibly made in it; yet not so much as I had hoped and expected.
The Journal of Negro History, Volume 3, 1918
Various
It is a sort of expostulation with the Duke, but mildly and sensibly expressed.
Memoirs of the Jacobites of 1715 and 1745.
Mrs. Thomson

British Dictionary definitions for sensibly

sensible

adjective

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

noun

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

Derived Formssensibleness, nounsensibly, adverb

Word Origin for sensible

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for sensibly

adv.

early 15c., "in a manner perceived to the senses," from sensible + -ly (2). Meaning "with good sense" is attested from 1755.

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.

sensibly in Medicine

sensible

[sĕn′sə-bəl]

adj.

Perceptible by the senses or by the mind.
Having the faculty of sensation; able to feel or perceive.
Having a perception of something; cognizant.