sensible

UK: /ˈsɛnsɪb^əl/ US: /ˈsɛnsəbəl/ ,(sen′sə bəl)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

sen•si•ble /ˈsɛnsəbəl/   adj. 

1. having, using, or showing good sense:
   a sensible woman.
2. knowing;
   aware:
   [be + ~] was sensible of his fault.
3. capable of being sensed by the senses or the mind:
   [before a noun] the sensible universe.
4. practical:
   sensible shoes for camping.

sen•si•bly, adv.: 

dressed sensibly for the safari.

See -sens-.
Usage

Compare sensitive and sensible. The word sensible describes a person having common sense, who makes intelligent decisions or shows good judgment:
He's very sensible when it comes to spending money.
The word sensitive refers to someone who feels things easily and deeply and understands the feelings of others:
You should be more sensitive and caring toward the less fortunate.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

sen•si•ble  (sen′sə bəl), adj. 

1. having, using, or showing good sense or sound judgment:
   a sensible young woman.
2. cognizant;
   keenly aware (usually fol. by of ):
   sensible of his fault.
3. significant in quantity, magnitude, etc.;
   considerable;
   appreciable:
   a sensible reduction in price.
4. capable of being perceived by the senses;
   material:
   the sensible universe.
5. capable of feeling or perceiving, as organs or parts of the body.
6. perceptible to the mind.
7. conscious:
   The patient was speechless but still sensible.
8. [Archaic.] sensitive.

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

sen′si•ble•ness, n. 
sen′si•bly, adv. 
Synonyms

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

Antonyms

• 1. stupid.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

sensible / ˈsɛnsɪb^əl/ adjective

1. having or showing good sense or judgment
2. (of clothing) serviceable; practical
3. having the capacity for sensation; sensitive
4. capable of being apprehended by the senses
5. perceptible to the mind
6. (sometimes followed by of) having perception; aware: sensible of your kindness
7. readily perceived; considerable: a sensible difference

noun

1. a less common term for leading note

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French, from Late Latin sēnsibilis, from Latin sentīre to sense

ˈsensibleness noun

ˈsensibly adverb