adj
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sentient
SEHN-tee-uhnt
Sentient (adj) means Able to perceive, feel, or experience things consciously. Example: “Many philosophers debate whether animals are sentient.”
adj
1
Able to perceive, feel, or experience things consciously.
"Many philosophers debate whether animals are sentient."
"The story imagines a sentient robot capable of emotion."
How to use sentient
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCapable of feeling and consciously experiencing things, not just reacting mechanically.
Common pairings
sentient being
sentient life
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Word forms
- Plural
- sentients
- Comparative
- more sentient
- Superlative
- most sentient
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Many philosophers debate whether animals are _____.
Etymology
From Latin sentiens, "feeling, perceiving," the present participle of sentiō.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for sentient
See all rhymes for sentient →Frequently asked questions
What does “sentient” mean?
The word “sentient” means able to perceive, feel, or experience things consciously. In plain terms, capable of feeling and consciously experiencing things, not just reacting mechanically.
How do you pronounce “sentient”?
“Sentient” is pronounced SEHN-tee-uhnt (/ˈsɛn.ʃi.ənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “sentient” in a sentence?
Here is “sentient” used in a sentence: “Many philosophers debate whether animals are sentient.”
What is another word for “sentient”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sentient” include intelligence, sapient and sophont.
What is the opposite of “sentient”?
The opposite of “sentient” — its antonyms — are automaton and insensate.
What part of speech is “sentient”?
“Sentient” is an adjective.
Where does the word “sentient” come from?
The word “sentient” comes from Latin. From Latin sentiens, "feeling, perceiving," the present participle of sentiō.
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