sensible

[ sen-suh-buhl ]

/ ˈsɛn sə bəl /

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See synonyms for: sensible / sensibleness / sensibly 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.

OTHER WORDS FOR sensible

1 intelligent, sagacious, rational, reasonable.

2 conscious, understanding, observant.

4 perceptible, discernible, palpable.

See synonyms for sensible on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR sensible

1 stupid.

See antonyms for sensible on Thesaurus.com

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ALL IN FAVO(U)R OF THIS BRITISH VS. AMERICAN ENGLISH QUIZ

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True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.

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Origin of sensible

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

synonym study for sensible

1. See practical.

OTHER WORDS FROM sensible

sen·si·ble·ness, nounsen·si·bly, adverbnon·sen·si·ble, adjectivenon·sen·si·ble·ness, noun

non·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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sensible in a sentence

Business leaders must call on Congress to pass a stimulus bill and advocate for sensible public health measures.
Getting to the COVID-19 finish line: A drama in three acts|matthewheimer|December 8, 2020|Fortune
Providing workers with a fair hourly wage certainly seems like a sensible step to take, though I’ll leave that debate to people with far more knowledge of the industry than I possess.
Restaurant workers say the pandemic has brought fewer tips and more sexual harassment|kristenlbellstrom|December 8, 2020|Fortune
For Google, doing good means doing what is both right and sensible.
Where Google is placing its bets in 2021|Adam Dorfman|December 4, 2020|Search Engine Land
To my fellow CEOs and leaders across other industries, I would respectfully suggest that contemplation is not a viable strategy to address climate change or a sensible way to run a business.
Nestlé CEO: Climate change laggards put the planet—and their businesses—at risk|matthewheimer|December 3, 2020|Fortune

Given Wall’s three-year, $130 million contract and his extensive injury history, virtually any trade that didn’t require taking on additional long-term salary or parting with significant draft assets would qualify as sensible.
Wizards’ deal of John Wall for Russell Westbrook is the right move, but packed with risk|Ben Golliver|December 3, 2020|Washington Post
So then the poor lad was not so unsensible, but he knew to do his bidding, for they're no born that dare gainsay him.
Discipline|Mary Brunton
If you knowed her afore, I expect ye'll think it best to clear while she's unsensible like.'
Robbery Under Arms|Thomas Alexander Browne, AKA Rolf Boldrewood
"I guess I won't say he's unsensible just now," said Bessie.
Bessie among the Mountains|Joanna H. Mathews
As Dad can tell you, I have a lot of most unsensible ideas of my own.
Guilt of the Brass Thieves|Mildred A. Wirt
I was a dolt, a little unsensible brute; I did not value such thing' then; I was too yo'ng, las' June.
Monsieur Beaucaire|Booth Tarkington

British Dictionary definitions for sensible

sensible

/ (ˈsɛnsɪbəl) /

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 forms of sensible

sensibleness, 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

sensible

OTHER WORDS FOR sensible

OPPOSITES FOR sensible

Origin of sensible

synonym study for sensible

OTHER WORDS FROM sensible

Words related to sensible

How to use sensible in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sensible

Derived forms of sensible

Word Origin for sensible