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Synonyms

sensory

American  
[sen-suh-ree] / ˈsɛn sə ri /
Also sensorial

adjective

  1. of or relating to the senses or sensation.

  2. Physiology. noting a structure for conveying an impulse that results or tends to result in sensation, as a nerve.


sensory British  
/ ˈsɛnsərɪ, sɛnˈsɔːrɪəl /

adjective

  1. of or relating to the senses or the power of sensation

  2. of or relating to those processes and structures within an organism that receive stimuli from the environment and convey them to the brain

"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

sensory Scientific  
/ sĕnsə-rē /
  1. Involving the sense organs or the nerves that relay messages from them.

  2. Compare motor


Other Word Forms

  • intersensory adjective
  • multisensory adjective
  • nonsensorial adjective
  • nonsensory adjective
  • unsensory adjective

Etymology

Origin of sensory

First recorded in 1620–30; sense + -ory 1

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.

Cleaning becomes less of a chore and more of a small, sensory pleasure—something I don’t mind returning to, night after night.

From Salon

The sensory mismatch — a coconut-flavored “potato” — is a little kid’s dream, like the Jelly Belly “Bean Boozled” pack or a cupcake that looks like a hamburger.

From Salon

Teacher and performer, he revealed the works of Nature to a genteel audience amid the sensory manipulations of the theater.

From The Wall Street Journal

With its overly sensory stimulation and DIY retail spaces, Santee Alley reminded me of home.

From Los Angeles Times

Things like: “describe a place, person, or object you love,” “capture a small but significant moment from your day with sensory details,” and “write about something that used to be true but isn’t anymore.”

From Literature