sensiblesen‧si‧ble /ˈsensəbəl/ ●●○ S3 W3 adjective 
She seems very sensible. sensible advice It’s sensible to keep a note of your passport number. Moving house seemed like the sensible thing to do. ► A sensible person is reasonable and shows good judgment. A sensitive person is easily upset, or understands other people’s feelings and problems.2suitable for a particular purpose, and practical rather than fashionable: Eat a sensible diet and exercise daily. an old woman in sensible shoes and a neat skirt3formal noticeable: a sensible increase in temperature4be sensible of something literary to know or realize that something exists or is true SYN aware: He was very sensible of the difficult situation she was in.—sensibly adverb
WORD ORIGINsensible
Origin:
1300-1400 Old French, Latin sensibilis, from sensus; ➔ SENSE1EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Be sensible - you can't go out without a coat in this weather.
- He's one of the few sensible people on the council.
- He gave me some very sensible advice.
- He was sensible enough to see that Jake was the best candidate for the job.
- If anyone has any sensible suggestions as to how to deal with this, please let me know.
- It would have been more sensible to save the money than to spend it all on clothes.
- Laura's a pretty sensible girl. I don't think she'd talk to strangers.
- On the whole, Sam was a sensible, intelligent person.
- People are far more sensible about what and how much they drink these days.
- The sensible thing to do would be to rest until you feel better.
- We aim to help clients make financially sensible choices.
- But as the table below suggests, they distort reality well beyond sensible limits.
- But Zogg has made some sensible decisions.
- It would be sensible for dioceses to establish procedures for arbitration in case these are needed to settle disputes.
- Perhaps - in fact most certainly - it would be sensible to face the possibility.
- She said that sensible people weren't led astray by infatuation.
- The additional assessment is a sensible and welcome attempt to differentiate students' performance by assessing higher-order skills.
- They're sensible to keep us in here.
Longman Language Activatorpeople
someone who is sensible is unlikely to do anything stupid, because they judge situations well and make good decisions: · Laura's a pretty sensible girl. I don't think she'd talk to strangers.· He's one of the few sensible people on the council.be sensible spoken: · Be sensible - you can't go out without a coat in this weather.sensible about: · People are far more sensible about what and how much they drink these days.
someone who is reasonable makes sensible decisions that are fair to everyone: · She's usually very reasonable as a boss, but now and again her temper flares up.· Let's try and discuss this in a calm and reasonable way.be reasonable spoken: · Be reasonable, Paul - I'm only trying to help.
someone who is responsible can be trusted to do what they should do and to think about the results of their actions: · We aim to educate our children to become socially responsible citizens.· I'm a responsible adult. I can make my own choices.
a child or young person who is mature behaves in a sensible way, as you would expect an older person to behave: · She's very mature for her age.· After two years of college, the students have a much more mature attitude.
if someone is rational , their actions are based on a clear understanding of the facts of a situation, and are not influenced by their feelings or imagination: · Taking action to defend yourself is a completely rational reaction if you're being attacked.· Many of the patients have long histories of drug abuse, and they're not always rational.
having the ability to understand situations and to know what is or is not possible: · She's a practical manager who realizes that a happy workforce is also a productive one.· The people of this country need to be more realistic - you can't have lower taxes as well as higher spending on health and pensions.· She is a tough, pragmatic, intuitive leader.
direct and dealing with things in a practical way, without wasting time on things that do not matter: · Mathews is a no-nonsense veteran of the police department.· Jason, with his no-nonsense approach, has been an asset to the project.
someone who is down-to-earth is practical and honest, and does not think they are more important, more intelligent etc than other people: · She's sophisticated, but also practical and down-to-earth.· People are surprised by what an unpretentious, down-to-earth guy he really is.
especially spoken if someone talks sense , they express sensible ideas or opinions that you agree with: · Someone who could talk sense would get my vote, but most politicians don't.
British /have your head screwed on right American use this about someone who will always behave sensibly in a difficult or confusing situation: · Don't worry about Sheila. She's got her head screwed on.· Anyone who can raise three such normal kids in Hollywood must have their head screwed on right.
able to think clearly and likely to behave in a sensible way, especially when other people are not being sensible: · I don't think any sane person would take his threats seriously.· It was a relief to hear one sane voice among all the shouting and hysteria.keep somebody sane: · Exercise keeps me sane. If I didn't exercise, the stress would get to me.
decisions/plans/ideas/actions a sensible decision, idea, plan etc is likely to have good results because it is based on good, practical reasons: · He gave me some very sensible advice.· If anyone has any sensible suggestions as to how to deal with this, please let me know.it is sensible to do something: · It would have been more sensible to save the money than to spend it all on clothes.the sensible thing to do (=used to give advice): · The sensible thing to do would be to rest until you feel better.
especially spoken if something makes sense , it seems a very sensible thing to do: · There are parts of the plan that simply don't make sense.it makes sense (for somebody) to do something: · It made sense for Sam to live nearer the college.· It may not make sense to rebuild the houses damaged by the floods.
especially spoken to seem to be the right and sensible thing to do: · Yes, I think a short meeting this afternoon would be a good idea.· "Should I phone him?" "I don't think that's a good idea."it's a good idea to do something: · It's a good idea to tell a friend if you are going on a date with someone you don't know well.
a reasonable idea, request, action etc seems sensible and fair, and you can understand the reasons for it: · I thought her request for more information was reasonable, but it was refused.· I'll go along with any reasonable plan.it is reasonable to assume/believe/suppose: · It's reasonable to assume that most prices will go up again.
based on facts and intelligent thinking, and not influenced by feelings or the imagination: · Education helps us to make rational decisions.· People's behaviour isn't always purely rational.
based on a good understanding of what is or is not possible: · The city authorities are trying to work out a practical solution to the problem of homelessness.· Starting my own business isn't a very realistic idea at the moment.· If you want to sell your home, be realistic about the price.
based on facts and what is likely to really succeed, but not always considering other things such as people's feelings, or attempting anything more exciting or risky: · Pragmatic considerations led the government to abandon pure Marxist policies.· We need a pragmatic approach to sex education in schools.
a logical action or decision seems to be clearly the right thing to do, because it is based on thinking intelligently about all the facts of a situation, and not based on feelings or emotions: · As I wanted to travel to other countries, studying languages was the logical choice.· This is the logical place to build a new airport.· It seemed logical to start by visiting the scene of the crime.
a wise decision or action is based on good judgement and on your experience of life: · "I've decided to apply for that job." "I think that's a very wise decision."· a wise investmentit is wise (for somebody) to do something: · He thought it might be wise not to tell her what had happened.· Do you think it's wise for him to travel alone?
according to what is generally accepted as being sensible and reasonable and no more: · Children should, within reason, be able to experiment with many different activities.· Within reason, the city does what it can to prevent traffic accidents.
to start behaving sensibly after not being sensible · He'd be crazy to leave Liza - it's about time he came to his senses.· Her parents finally came to their senses and realized they couldn't force her to marry someone she didn't like.
to start behaving sensibly after listening to advice or arguments from other people: · I wish he'd see reason and stop putting so much pressure on me.
spoken use this to tell someone that they are not being sensible or practical, for example if they think that a difficult problem will be easy to deal with: · Get real. It's pretty hard for a young woman on her first job to take a case of sexual harassment to court.· "We could always ask Dad for more money." "Get real! We'd be grounded for a month!"
to try to persuade someone to behave sensibly · It took some time to calm him down and talk some sense into him.· Will you try and talk some sense into him - he says he's going to drop out of school.
to manage, with some difficulty, to persuade someone to behave sensibly by talking to them about the situation: · I just can't get her to see reason.· Eventually we managed to get the border guards to see reason.
if something that has happened, especially an unpleasant surprise, brings someone to their senses , it makes them stop behaving in a stupid way and start behaving sensibly: · Seeing so many friends dying of drug-related illnesses was what brought me to my senses.· It took a lawsuit to bring them to their senses.
the ability to make sensible decisions the ability to make intelligent, practical decision based on your experience or on what is generally accepted as being true - use this about something that is clearly true, so it is sensible to believe it: · Obviously people are going to respond better to praise than to criticism - that's just common sense.common sense tells you ...: · Common sense tells you to keep candles away from small children and pets.have common sense: · She's highly intelligent and intellectual, but she's got no practical common sense.use your common sense: · It's not difficult to work out the answer - you just have to use your common sense.
the ability to behave in an intelligent and sensible way, and to avoid doing anything stupid: · I sometimes wish you'd show more sense.· No-one in the group seemed to have Charlie's good sense.have the (good) sense to do something: · Luckily, Sheena had the good sense to call the police before Baxter left the building.· I'm sure she has too much sense to give him her address.
WORD SETSaccessory, nounalter, verbappliqué, nounarmband, nounarmhole, nounbag, nounbejewelled, adjectivebillfold, nounboater, nounbow, nounbowler, nounbow tie, nounbraid, nounbraid, verbbreast-pocket, nounbrim, nounbum bag, nounbust, nounbutton, nounbutton-down, adjectivebuttonhole, nouncape, nounchecked, adjectivecivvies, nounclasp, nouncleat, nounclingy, adjectiveclothes brush, nounclothes hanger, nounclutch bag, nouncoat check, nouncoat hanger, nouncoatroom, nouncobbler, nouncockade, nouncocktail dress, nouncodpiece, nouncollar, nouncollar stud, nouncolour-coordinated, adjectivecolourfast, adjectivecorsage, nouncostume, nouncoveralls, nouncravat, nouncrinkly, adjectivecut, noundark glasses, noundarn, verbdarn, noundart, noundécolletage, noundetailing, noundiadem, noundiaphanous, adjectivedishevelled, adjectivedowdy, adjectivedown-at-heel, adjectivedress, noundress, verbdressed, adjectivedressmaker, noundress sense, noundressy, adjectiveepaulette, nounfacing, nounfancy dress, nounfinery, nounfleecy, adjectivefop, noungarb, noungather, verbgingham, noungold-rimmed, adjectivegranny, adjectivegroom, verbhabit, nounhandbag, nounherringbone, nounknit, verbknitwear, nounline, verblined, adjectiveliner, nounlingerie, nounlining, nounlivery, nounlocker room, nounmade-to-measure, adjectivemade-to-order, adjectivemakeover, nounmodel, nounmodel, verbmodelling, nounmohair, nounname tag, nounnatty, adjectiveneckline, nounout, adverbpack, nounparasol, nounpinstripe, nounplaid, nounpleat, nounpleated, adjectiveplume, nounplumed, adjectiveplunging neckline, nounpocket, nounpocketbook, nounpocket handkerchief, nounpolka dot, nounpompom, nounpopper, nounpouch, nounpower dressing, nounpress, verbproof, verbpurse, nounraffish, adjectiveragged, adjectiverail, nounretro, adjectivesalon, nounsensible, adjectivesequin, nounset, verbshoeshine, nounshoulder bag, nounshoulder pad, nounshoulder strap, nounsingle-breasted, adjectivesize, nounsleeve, nounsleeveless, adjectivesling, nounsmocking, nounsoigné, adjectivespangle, nounsportswear, nounstarch, verbstitch, nounstud, nounstudded, adjectivetack, verbtail, nountailor, nountailored, adjectivetailoring, nountapered, adjectivetartan, nountatters, nounthread, nounthread, verbtie-dye, verbtie-pin, nountoe, nountoecap, nountoggle, nountongue, nountoupée, nountrainer, nountrimmings, nountrouser press, nounturn-up, nountweedy, adjectiveunbecoming, adjectiveundress, noununmentionables, nounvalet, nounwallet, nounwear, verbwearer, nounweatherproof, adjectivewell-dressed, adjectivewell-groomed, adjectivewristband, nounzip, nounzipper, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY It’s sensible to keep a note of your passport number. Moving house seemed like the sensible thing to do. an old woman in sensible shoes and a neat skirtCOLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
It’s sensible to keep a note of your passport number. Moving house seemed like the sensible thing to do. an old woman in sensible shoes and a neat skirt· The strikes continued and there seemed to be no chance of a sensible compromise.
· Students don’t always eat a sensible diet.
· Fitting window locks is a sensible precaution.
(=flat shoes that are not very fashionable)· They were the kind of sensible shoes my mother used to make me wear.
· This was the first sensible suggestion she had heard from him.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· This seems to me to be an eminently sensible arrangement, and I think this sort of structure could also work here.· The idea of putting large numbers of people to sleep struck me at first as being eminently sensible.· Some at least of the leading Romans felt and behaved in a way which seemed to him perfectly understandable and eminently sensible.· This seems eminently sensible, and indeed studies indicate that this approach can work best for some people.· Some of the reforms are eminently sensible and have been introduced.· I agreed with her and thought that her comments were eminently sensible.· At face value, decentralisation of services into communities seems eminently sensible, and reference centres have been effective in some countries.· This is a further, but eminently sensible, erosion of the principle of orality.
· But she was more sensible than Emily.· She would be as entrancing as Clarisa, but far more sensible.· It would be much more sensible for you to marry a woman with money.· No one on the farm spoke Hindi so it seemed more sensible to try to pick up Marwari from the servants.· What I am advocating is balanced view of your own work and a more sensible approach to its shortcomings.· In fact, on second thoughts, would it not be far more sensible to invite Emilia to come to Cambridge?· Not to be unique had seemed to her intolerable, but she was getting more sensible.· Something like Baker is much more sensible.
· The conclusion seems most sensible when applied to the displays between rivals for a mate, for food or for territory.· The most sensible method compares the debt to the size of the economy.· At home, Marks & Spencer is considered the most sensible place for the middle class to shop.· Actually, they were one of the most sensible things that the earlier white explorers brought with them.· This was quite the most sensible arrangement; it was more fun for the children too.· Elizabeth is the second oldest of five sisters, and easily the wisest and most sensible.· In many cases, the most sensible location for an extraction fan is in the ceiling.· Well, small-minded politicos and big-moneyed utility interests made sure this sun-drenched region never fully developed its most sensible energy alternative.
· This empirical emphasis is only sensible when the factors which policy makers think merit funding can be measured accurately enough.· And it does have its attendant problems which it is only sensible to recognise.
· Moreover although, with hindsight, such a classification appears scientifically absurd it is zoologically perfectly sensible.· But look at it the other way. 37 per cent of those questioned think that road pricing is perfectly sensible.· This is a perfectly sensible strategy.· Politically, her pro-home bias was perfectly sensible.· Many perfectly sensible and intelligent people could be trained to make a contribution to inspection.
· Arthur Ransome's children are so sensible, responsible, and restrained.· That was why it was so sensible to have it done early, before the little lines and pouches became obvious.
· This sounds all very sensible until you realize what it means in human terms.· It was a very sensible, rational decision at the time.· It was all very sensible and creditable.· The reasoning was very sensible, the logic very sound, and it was fatefully wrong.· Presumably, he had warned her off. Very sensible, given the gossip that was whirling up around their heads.· Where this is the case, a study of visual communication would be very sensible.· Committee Chairman, Helen Martini, said it was a very sensible, if unusual decision.· Their not washing, or rather not washing in the conventional Western manner, was a very sensible thing indeed.
NOUN· Diana was treated with kid gloves when all she needed was some sensible advice, a cuddle and a consoling word.· This sensible advice goes for everyone, fat or thin.· It may be wise and sensible advice given certain circumstances.· But she provided him with loyalty, sensible advice and a closely shared experience of life for over fifty years.· The only sensible advice here is to stop.
· What I am advocating is balanced view of your own work and a more sensible approach to its shortcomings.· Their parents had a sensible approach to the matter.· Such a sensible approach should ease some of the pain.
· On Tuesday, they decided that the most sensible course must be to return to London.· I can think of many times I have been saved from folly by employees who talked me into a more sensible course.· The only sensible course was never to start it in the first place.· Emphasising the positive and then adding qualifies seems a sensible course of action to take.· She knew what the sensible course of action was.· He firmly believed this was the only sensible course to pursue.· It's not as if murdering the Admiral was a sensible course of action.· The only sensible course of action is to decide which is the more likely and try the treatment for that problem first.
· She wasn't going to be able to reach any sensible decision while she was anywhere near this house.· This can not have been an economically sensible decision.· A sensible decision, made in good time.· It was evident that the sensible decision had been reached to let the two most concerned fight it out alone.· The problem is that being in love is so overwhelming it can be hard to make sensible decisions.· But Zogg has made some sensible decisions.· Competition only works effectively if consumers have the information they need to make sensible decisions.
· The sensible diet and strict routine also did him good, but the surrogate maternal love was best of all.· Even a slight decrease, a sensible diet, will get you the results you want.· Regular exercise and a sensible diet will help keep your weight down and reduce the risk.
· Until now, this simple complaint has been enough to suffocate any sensible discussion of reform.· Reagan was ahead of the curve in his sensible discussion of the economics of Social Security.
· And, though I believe she is at heart a sensible girl, she might be driven to do something silly.· Which she did very quickly, being a sensible girl.· A nice, sensible girl, mad on animals, and very helpful to me at times.· It would be a very sensible thing to do and Jane Postlethwaite was a sensible girl.
· In the end it was Harry Dunstaple who approached him with a really sensible idea.· Everyone agreed that this was a sensible idea.· Most media release paper is designed to attract attention and if this is not overdone it is a sensible idea.· That seemed like the most sensible idea.· There are several economical and sensible ideas in the design which are carefully related to the urban situation.· Naturally, this sensible idea was defeated.· Even if they feel quite well, an annual check-up after the age of sixty is a sensible idea.
· There a new realism and prices are coming down to sensible levels.· The judge said it had sunk below a sensible level.
· Doctor Sparrow is clearly a sensible man.· Ellen thought Swedenborg was a sensible man.· Roy Jenkins, an extremely sensible man who is less vulnerable to criticism than most, regarded the matter with mild amusement.· Still a sensible man, the Harvey.· The sensible man built his house on rock.· No trace of dye - sensible man accepted his age.· He is a sensible man, so I am going to take his advice.· There were sensible men who thought him the finest evangelist of his generation.
· She said that sensible people weren't led astray by infatuation.· By this time the body count was getting so high, sensible people refused to ride along with us.· Just a business arrangement between two sensible people who no longer think of love.
· A sensible person respected the sleeping beast and crept away.· Whichever way we say this, any sensible person knows that the staying home is because of the rain.· I've always thought of myself as a sensible person, yet I allowed myself to do that.· You did what any sensible person would have done, and you did it in his own interests.· After repeated attempts a more sensible person would have given up.· No sensible person will say whence Time has come.· But no sensible person enjoys rows and he isn't at fault for wanting a quiet life.
· I hope I can make a contribution in this book toward boosting demand for sensible policies.· Any sensible policy concerned with reducing crime - crime can never be abolished - needs three components.· There is only one good solution to capital flight: shaky governments must restore confidence by adopting sensible policies.· It was a sensible policy - if they could afford it.· I expect to see the trend continue if sensible policies continue to be pursued.· When the government began to adopt more sensible policies after 1905, the supply of fanatics dried up.
· Seemed like a sensible precaution to me.· An easy-wipe plastic mat under the food bowl is therefore a sensible precaution.· Again, professional financial advice on the advantages and disadvantages of this form of borrowing seems a sensible precaution against financial embarrassment.· Provision of a stair guard, and secure door and window locks, are sensible precautions with children.· When interviewing is employed, the use of multiple independent interviewers is a sensible precaution.· People have taken very few sensible precautions to stop young male burglars breaking in.· In truth, with sensible precautions, Morrissey could have easily travelled to the salon.· Egerton went, taking the very sensible precaution of asking Mickey Skinner along as a bodyguard.
· She looked at them with distaste in their sensible shoes and thick bandage.· Are they all gym teachers with short fingernails, sensible shoes and leathery skin?· They wore rough overcoats over their hand-woven cotton saris, and sensible shoes suitable for their work.
· I mean, the sensible thing would have been to go to her room, wouldn't it?· Actually, they were one of the most sensible things that the earlier white explorers brought with them.· However, if you are going to fly solo, refusing is the only sensible thing to do.· In the evaluation report some wise and many sensible things were said.· An appropriate time for Dole to speak his mind; and, at one level, an obviously sensible thing to do.· Their not washing, or rather not washing in the conventional Western manner, was a very sensible thing indeed.· The sensible thing would have been to turn to some one, some sympathetic teacher, perhaps.· I did the only sensible thing any panic-stricken woman would have done under similar circumstances: I packed.
· In the evaluation report some wise and many sensible things were said.· Actually, they were one of the most sensible things that the earlier white explorers brought with them.· She couldn't wait to become famous so she too could do sensible things like that without getting picked on.· According to this, the existence of sensible things consists solely in their actually being perceived.· On education, for example, and speaking as a headmaster, it seemed to him that Qaddafi had written sensible things.· Even in the war - now I look back - when lots of other people - women - were doing sensible things.· Although the book as a whole is unsatisfactory, Ornstein does have some sensible things to say.
· Over a mile, the only sensible way to ride Pendero was to use his stamina, not hold him up.· There would be no heat in the church, nor any sensible way for the congregation to get there.· Collaboration between the royal society and family health services authorities would be a sensible way forward in improving dispensing standards.· There are sensible ways of dealing with it.· More generally, it is quite difficult to find sensible ways of combining phrase searching with word searching.· One sensible way would be a widespread move to a four-day work week.· In addition, he was able to encourage her to tackle her other problems in a practical and sensible way.· I did not believe that it was a sensible way of making policy.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
- Now all of us are sensible of the inconvenience this is causing, so we'll try to hurry.
WORD FAMILYadjectivesensibleinsensiblesenselesssensitive ≠ insensitivesensorynonsensicalinsensatenounsense ≠ nonsensesensibility ≠ insensibilitysensitivity ≠ insensitivitysenselessnesssensitizationsensoradverbsensiblysenselesslysensitively ≠ insensitivelyverbsensesensitize
1reasonable, practical, and showing good judgment: She seems very sensible. sensible advice It’s sensible to keep a note of your passport number. Moving house seemed like the sensible thing to do. ► A sensible person is reasonable and shows good judgment. A sensitive person is easily upset, or understands other people’s feelings and problems.2suitable for a particular purpose, and practical rather than fashionable: Eat a sensible diet and exercise daily. an old woman in sensible shoes and a neat skirt3formal noticeable: a sensible increase in temperature4be sensible of something literary to know or realize that something exists or is true SYN aware: He was very sensible of the difficult situation she was in.—sensibly adverb