sensible

1 of 2

adjective

sen·​si·​ble ˈsen(t)-sə-bəl 

1

: having, containing, or indicative of good sense or reason : rational, reasonable

sensible people

made a sensible answer

2

: designed for practical ends (such as comfort) rather than for appearance

sensible shoes

3

: of a kind to be felt or perceived: such as

a

: perceptible to the senses or to reason or understanding

felt a sensible chill

her distress was sensible from her manner

b

: perceptible as real or material : substantial

the sensible world in which we live

c

archaic : perceptibly large : considerable

4

a

: capable of receiving sensory impressions

sensible to pain

b

: receptive to external influences : sensitive

the most sensible reaches of the spirit

5

a

: perceiving through the senses or mind : cognizant

sensible of the increasing heat

also : convinced by perceived evidence : satisfied

sensible of my error

b

: emotionally aware and responsive

we are sensible of your problems

c

: conscious

sensibleness noun

sensibly

ˈsen(t)-sə-blē 

adverb

sensible

2 of 2

noun

: something that can be sensed

Synonyms

Adjective

• appreciable
• apprehensible
• detectable
• discernible
• discernable
• distinguishable
• palpable
• perceptible

Choose the Right Synonym for sensible

material, physical, corporeal, phenomenal, sensible, objective mean of or belonging to actuality.

material implies formation out of tangible matter; used in contrast with spiritual or ideal it may connote the mundane, crass, or grasping.

material values

physical applies to what is perceived directly by the senses and may contrast with mental, spiritual, or imaginary.

the physical benefits of exercise

corporeal implies having the tangible qualities of a body such as shape, size, or resistance to force.

artists have portrayed angels as corporeal beings

phenomenal applies to what is known or perceived through the senses rather than by intuition or rational deduction.

scientists concerned with the phenomenal world

sensible stresses the capability of readily or forcibly impressing the senses.

the earth's rotation is not sensible to us

objective may stress material or independent existence apart from a subject perceiving it.

no objective evidence of damage

perceptible, sensible, palpable, tangible, appreciable, ponderable mean apprehensible as real or existent.

perceptible applies to what can be discerned by the senses often to a minimal extent.

a perceptible difference in sound to a careful listener

sensible applies to whatever is clearly apprehended through the senses or impresses itself strongly on the mind.

an abrupt, sensible drop in temperature

palpable applies either to what has physical substance or to what is obvious and unmistakable.

the tension in the air was almost palpable

tangible suggests what is capable of being handled or grasped both physically and mentally.

no tangible evidence of UFOs

appreciable applies to what is distinctly discernible by the senses or definitely measurable.

an appreciable increase in income

ponderable suggests having definitely measurable weight or importance.

exerted a ponderable influence on world events

aware, cognizant, conscious, sensible, alive, awake mean having knowledge of something.

aware implies vigilance in observing or alertness in drawing inferences from what one experiences.

aware of changes in climate

cognizant implies having special or certain knowledge as from firsthand sources.

not fully cognizant of the facts

conscious implies that one is focusing one's attention on something or is even preoccupied by it.

conscious that my heart was pounding

sensible implies direct or intuitive perceiving especially of intangibles or of emotional states or qualities.

sensible of a teacher's influence

alive adds to sensible the implication of acute sensitivity to something.

alive to the thrill of danger

awake implies that one has become alive to something and is on the alert.

a country always awake to the threat of invasion

wise, sage, sapient, judicious, prudent, sensible, sane mean having or showing sound judgment.

wise suggests great understanding of people and of situations and unusual discernment and judgment in dealing with them.

wise beyond his tender years

sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom.

the sage advice of my father

sapient suggests great sagacity and discernment.

the sapient musings of an old philosopher

judicious stresses a capacity for reaching wise decisions or just conclusions.

judicious parents using kindness and discipline in equal measure

prudent suggests the exercise of restraint guided by sound practical wisdom and discretion.

a prudent decision to wait out the storm

sensible applies to action guided and restrained by good sense and rationality.

a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery

sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness.

remained sane even in times of crises

Examples of sensible in a Sentence

Adjective

My teacher gave me some sensible advice.

She was sensible enough to stop driving when she got too tired.

She wore a sensible coat.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Style it with sheer black tights and knee-high boots for the office, or pair it with a jean jacket and sensible sneakers for a busy weekend of fall activities. —Emily Weaver, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024

The decision to bench Richardson is somewhat sensible in the short term. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024

Noun

RuPaul's Drag Race has set its largest cast ever at (a sensible) 16 queens set to enter the Werk Room for season 15. —Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 13 Dec. 2022

For a sensible, almost every day pick, there is always the Stuart Weitzman loafer with a crystal buckle and a slight heel. —Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, 5 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin sensibilis, from sensus, past participle of sentire to feel

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sensible

• sensible heat

Kids Definition

sensible

adjective

sen·​si·​ble

ˈsen(t)-sə-bəl

1

: possible to take in by the senses or by reason or understanding

felt a sensible chill

her distress was sensible from the way she acted

2

: capable of being made aware of or of feeling

sensible to pain

3

: aware

sensible of the increasing heat

4

: showing or containing good sense or reason : reasonable

a sensible arrangement

sensibleness noun

sensibly

-blē

adverb

Medical Definition

sensible

adjective

sen·​si·​ble ˈsen(t)-sə-bəl 

1

: perceptible to the senses or to reason or understanding

felt a sensible chill

2

: capable of receiving sensory impressions

sensible to pain