sensible
gb/sˈɛnsɪbəl/ us/sˈɛnsɪbəl/
B1
English
~ 2900
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
showing good judgment
Making good choices based on clear thinking and what is practical.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is sensible to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'sensible' with 'sensitive'. 'Sensible' means showing good judgment, while 'sensitive' means easily affected by feelings or stimuli.
Synonyms
reasonable (Slightly broader and more common in everyday speech, but similar in meaning.)
|
prudent (More formal and emphasizes carefulness about the future.)
Antonyms
foolish (Implies a lack of good sense or judgment.)
|
irrational (Focuses on being not based on reason or logic.)
Collocations
sensible decision
|sensible choice
|sensible approach
|sensible advice
|sensible person
Themes
daily life
|decision-making
|behavior
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- It’s sensible to save some money for emergencies.
- She made a sensible decision to leave early before the storm.
- Wearing sunscreen is a sensible precaution.
- He gave me some very sensible advice about buying a car.
Learner examples
- It is sensible to take an umbrella when it rains.
- My father is a sensible man.
- She made a sensible plan for the trip.
- Drinking water every day is sensible.
adjective
B2
property
2
perceivable by senses
That can be seen, felt, or noticed by the body or mind.
Usage pattern:
[something] is sensible to [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this meaning is related to intelligence or judgment; in fact, it refers to physical perception.
Synonyms
perceptible (More formal; emphasizes that something can be detected.)
Antonyms
imperceptible (Describes something too small or subtle to be noticed.)
Collocations
sensible heat
|sensible difference
|sensible vibration
Themes
science
|perception
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There was a sensible change in temperature as we entered the cave.
- The pain became sensible after a few minutes.
- A sensible vibration could be felt through the floor.
Learner examples
- The cold wind was sensible on my face.
- I felt a sensible change in the air.
- The sound was sensible to everyone in the room.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sensible
IPA
GB/sˈɛnsɪbəl/
US/sˈɛnsɪbəl/
Syllables & stress
sens - ible (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sens)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: sensible
- Comparative: sensibler
- Superlative: sensiblest
Word family
Forms
sensibler
adjective
sensiblest
adjective
Core family
sense
noun A1
sensibly
adverb
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
senseless
adjective B2
insensitive
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
sensibility
noun C1
insensible
adjective C1
Expressions
be sensible of
1/bˈi sˈɛnsɪbəl əv/
fixed phrase
formal
to be aware of something
To know or understand something; to notice it.
Examples
- He was sensible of the risks involved.
- I am sensible of your concerns and will address them.
make a sensible decision
1/mˈeɪk ə sˈɛnsɪbəl dɪsˈɪʒən/
fixed phrase
to choose wisely
To decide something in a way that shows good thinking and practicality.
Examples
- She made a sensible decision to invest in her education.
- We need to make a sensible decision about where to live.