sensible
SEHN-sih-buhl
Sensible (adj) means showing good, practical judgment. Example: “It was sensible of you to check the weather before setting off.”
adj
1
Showing good, practical judgment.
"It was sensible of you to check the weather before setting off."
"It would be sensible to save some money each month."
"She gave him some sensible advice."
2
Practical and comfortable rather than stylish, especially describing clothing.
"He packed sensible waterproof clothes rather than his best jacket for the trip."
"My mother always buys sensible coats that keep out the rain."
"She wore sensible shoes for the long hike."
How to use sensible
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShowing good practical judgment, or (for clothes) practical rather than fashionable.
Common mistake
A classic false-friend trap: in French, sensible means "sensitive," not "showing good judgment." English sensible is about practical wisdom.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
sensible decision
sensible shoes
sensible approach
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Word forms
- Plural
- sensibles
- Comparative
- more sensible
- Superlative
- most sensible, sensiblest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It was _____ of you to check the weather before setting off.
Etymology
From Latin sensibilis, "perceptible, having feeling," from sentiō, "to feel."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for sensible
See all rhymes for sensible →Frequently asked questions
What does “sensible” mean?
The word “sensible” means showing good, practical judgment. In plain terms, showing good practical judgment, or (for clothes) practical rather than fashionable.
How do you pronounce “sensible”?
“Sensible” is pronounced SEHN-sih-buhl (/ˈsɛn.sə.bəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “sensible” in a sentence?
Here is “sensible” used in a sentence: “It would be sensible to save some money each month.”
What part of speech is “sensible”?
“Sensible” is an adjective.
Where does the word “sensible” come from?
The word “sensible” comes from Latin. From Latin sensibilis, "perceptible, having feeling," from sentiō, "to feel.".
Is “sensible” a common word?
“Sensible” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “sensible” have?
“Sensible” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: showing good, practical judgment.
What is the difference between sensible and sensitive?
Sensible means showing good, practical judgment: a sensible decision, a sensible person. Sensitive means easily affected by feelings, stimuli, or offense: sensitive skin, a sensitive topic. Learners often mix them up because in French and Spanish the word "sensible" means sensitive.
What is the difference between sensible and reasonable?
Sensible emphasizes practical good judgment in a person or decision, while reasonable emphasizes fairness and staying within sensible limits. A sensible plan is well judged; a reasonable price is fair. In many sentences either word works, but only reasonable is standard for prices, requests, and demands.
Is sensibility the noun form of sensible?
No, and this is a common trap. Sensibility means emotional responsiveness or refined feeling, not good judgment. The quality of being sensible is expressed with "good sense" or the rarer "sensibleness," as in "she had the good sense to leave early."
