Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense senses, present participle sensing, past tense, past participle sensed
1. countable noun
Your senses are the physical abilities of sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste.
She stared at him again, unable to believe the evidence of her senses.
...a keen sense of smell. [+ of]
Synonyms: faculty, perception, sensation, feeling More Synonyms of sense
2. See also sixth sense
3. verb
If you sense something, you become aware of it or you realize it, although it is not very obvious.
She probably sensed that I wasn't telling her the whole story. [VERB that]
He looks about him, sensing danger. [VERB noun]
Prost had sensed what might happen. [VERB wh]
Synonyms: perceive, feel, understand, notice More Synonyms of sense
4. singular noun [NOUN that]
If you have a sensethat something is the case, you think that it is the case, although you may not have firm, clear evidence for this belief.
Suddenly you got this sense that people were drawing themselves away from each other.
There is no sense of urgency on either side. [+ of]
Synonyms: feeling, impression, perception, awareness More Synonyms of sense
5. See also sense of occasion
6. singular noun
If you have a sense of guilt or relief, for example, you feel guilty or relieved.
When your child is struggling for life, you feel this overwhelming sense of guilt. [+ of]
Lulled into a false sense of security, we eagerly awaited their return.
7. singular noun
If you have a sense of something such as duty or justice, you are aware of it and believe it is important.
My sense of justice was offended.
We must keep a sense of proportion about all this. [+ of]
She needs to regain a sense of her own worth. [+ of]
8. singular noun [oft noun NOUN]
Someone who has a senseof timing or style has a natural ability with regard to timing or style. You can also say that someone has a bad senseof timing or style.
He has an impeccable sense of timing. [+ of]
Her dress sense is appalling.
...his astute business sense.
Synonyms: understanding, awareness, appreciation, comprehension More Synonyms of sense
9. See also sense of humour
10. uncountable noun
Sense is the ability to make good judgments and to behave sensibly.
...when he was younger and had a bit more sense.
When that doesn't work they sometimes have the sense to seek help.
And I'll buzz over to talk some sense into old Ocker.
Synonyms: intelligence, reason, understanding, brains [informal] More Synonyms of sense
11. See also common sense
12. singular noun [with neg, Nin v-ing]
If you say that there is no sense or little sensein doing something, you mean that it is not a sensible thing to do because nothing useful would be gained by doing it.
There's no sense in pretending this doesn't happen. [+ in]
There's little sense in trying to outspend a competitor with a much larger servicefactory.
Synonyms: point, good, use, reason More Synonyms of sense
13. countable noun
A sense of a word or expression is one of its possible meanings.
...a noun which has two senses.
Then she remembered that they had no mind in any real sense of that word. [+ of]
Synonyms: meaning, definition, interpretation, significance More Synonyms of sense
14.
See in a sense
15.
See make sense
16.
See make sense of sth
17.
See make sense
18.
See come to one's senses/bring sb to their senses
19.
See have taken leave of one's senses
20.
See talk sense
21.
See have a sense that/get a sense that
22. to see sense
sense in British English
(sɛns)
noun
1.
any of the faculties by which the mind receives information about the external world or about the state of the body. In addition to the five traditional faculties of sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell, the term includes the means by which bodily position, temperature, pain, balance, etc, are perceived
2.
such faculties collectively; the ability to perceive
3.
a feeling perceived through one of the senses
a sense of warmth
4.
a mental perception or awareness
a sense of happiness
5.
moral discernment; understanding
a sense of right and wrong
6. (sometimes plural)
sound practical judgment or intelligence
he is a man without any sense
7.
reason or purpose
what is the sense of going out in the rain?
8.
substance or gist; meaning
what is the sense of this proverb?
9.
specific meaning; definition
in what sense are you using the word?
10.
an opinion or consensus
11. mathematics
one of two opposite directions measured on a directed line; the sign as contrasted with the magnitude of a vector
12. logic, linguistics
a.
the import of an expression as contrasted with its referent. Thus the morning star and the evening star have the same reference, Venus, but different senses
b.
the property of an expression by virtue of which its referent is determined
c.
that which one grasps in understanding an expression
13. bring someone to their senses
14. come to one's senses
15. make sense
16. take leave of one's senses
verb(transitive)
17.
to perceive through one or more of the senses
18.
to apprehend or detect without or in advance of the evidence of the senses
19.
to understand
20. computing
a.
to test or locate the position of (a part of computer hardware)
b.
to read (data)
Word origin
C14: from Latin sēnsus, from sentīre to feel
sense in American English
(sɛns)
noun
1.
the ability of the nerves and the brain to receive and react to stimuli, as light, sound, impact, constriction, etc.; specif., any of five faculties of receiving impressions through specific bodily organs and the nerves associated with them (sight, touch,taste, smell, and hearing)
2.
the senses considered as a total function of the bodily organism, as distinguished from intellect, movement, etc.
3.
a.
feeling, impression, or perception through the senses
a sense of warmth, pain, etc.
b.
a generalized feeling, awareness, or realization
a sense of longing
4.
an ability to judge, discriminate, or estimate external conditions, sounds, etc.
a sense of direction, pitch, etc.
5.
an ability to feel, appreciate, or understand some quality
a sense of humor, honor, etc.
6.
a.
the ability to think or reason soundly; normal intelligence and judgment, often as reflected in behavior
b.
soundness of judgment or reasoning
some sense in what he says
c.
something wise, sound, or reasonable
to talk sense
d. [pl.]
normal ability to reason soundly
to come to one's senses
7.
a.
meaning; esp., any of several meanings conveyed by or attributed to the same word or phrase
b.
essential signification; gist
to grasp the sense of a remark
8.
the general opinion, sentiment, or attitude of a group
9. Ancient Mathematics
either of two contrary directions that may be specified, as clockwise or counterclockwise for the circumference of a circle, positive or negative for a line segment, etc.
verb transitiveWord forms: sensed or ˈsensing
10.
to be or become aware of
to sense another's hostility
11.
to comprehend; understand
12.
to detect automatically, as by sensors
Idioms:
in a sense
make sense
Word origin
Fr sens < L sensus < sentire, to feel, perceive: see send1
COBUILD Collocations
sense
collective sense
great sense
perfect sense
real sense
strong sense
vague sense
Examples of 'sense' in a sentence
sense
Your natural sense of fairness helps you disregard gossip.
The Sun (2010)
He stalls the attack because he senses danger early.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They feel less sense of control because they actually have less control.
Paul Martin MAKING HAPPY PEOPLE (2005)
True understanding comes from inner experience which is beyond the classifications invented by the mind and senses.
Crowley, Vivianne Phoenix From the Flame (1994)
But in one sense it is a good risk for the underwriters.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The sense of something being beautifully done still has impact and credibility.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
We grow up with a strong sense of the physical boundary that contains us.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Work and study plans get moving again and you sense they are leading to better times.
The Sun (2008)
We know right from wrong and have an acute sense of justice.
The Sun (2009)
We suggest that borrowing may make sense for some firms but not for others.
Charles A. D'Ambrosio & Stewart D. Hodges & Richard Brealey & Stewart Myers Principles of Corporate Finance (1991)
Losing your sense of smell is usually the result of your nose being blocked.
The Sun (2009)
You come across as a really great guy with a good sense of humour.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
We found there a really great actor with a wonderful sense of timing.
The Sun (2015)
None of these were regulars in the true sense.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Sometimes a sense of enchantment is enough.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Your sense of guilt takes that away from us.
Knowles, Jane Know Your Own Mind (1991)
They will probably have the sense that they will have to modify it when the effects are felt.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
With that figure, and that sense of style?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
sense
British English: sense /sɛns/ NOUN
Your senses are the physical abilities of sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste.
...a keen sense of smell.
American English: sense
Arabic: حاسَّة
Brazilian Portuguese: sentido
Chinese: 感觉
Croatian: čulo
Czech: smysl vnímání
Danish: sans
Dutch: zintuig strekking
European Spanish: sentido
Finnish: aisti
French: sens
German: Sinn
Greek: αίσθηση
Italian: senso
Japanese: 感覚
Korean: 감각
Norwegian: fornuft
Polish: zmysł
European Portuguese: sentido
Romanian: simț
Russian: чувство
Latin American Spanish: sentido
Swedish: sinne
Thai: ความรู้สึก
Turkish: duyu
Ukrainian: почуття
Vietnamese: giác quan
All related terms of 'sense'
dress sense
Someone's dress sense is their ability to choose clothes that make them look attractive .
great sense
If you have a sense of guilt or relief , for example, you feel guilty or relieved .
horse sense
common sense
make sense
If something makes sense , you can understand it.
moral sense
the ability to determine the rightness or wrongness of actions
real sense
If you have a sense of guilt or relief , for example, you feel guilty or relieved .
road sense
the ability to be a safe driver or pedestrian
sense datum
a sensation detached both from any information it may convey and from its putative source in the external world, such as the bare awareness of a red visual field. Sense data are held by some philosophers to be the immediate objects of experience providing certain knowledge from which knowledge of material objects is inferred
sense organ
Your sense organs are the parts of your body, for example your eyes and your ears , which enable you to be aware of things around you.
sixth sense
If you say that someone has a sixth sense , you mean that they seem to have a natural ability to know about things before other people, or to know things that other people do not know.
talk sense
If you say that someone talks sense , you mean that what they say is sensible .
vague sense
If you have a sense that something is the case, you think that it is the case, although you may not have firm , clear evidence for this belief.
common sense
Your common sense is your natural ability to make good judgments and to behave in a practical and sensible way.
fashion sense
a sense of style
in a sense
Sense is used in several expressions to indicate how true your statement is. For example , if you say that something is true in a sense , you mean that it is partly true, or true in one way . If you say that something is true in a general sense , you mean that it is true in a general way.
muscle sense
→ kinesthesia
perfect sense
Something that is perfect is as good as it could possibly be.
sense danger
Danger is the possibility that someone may be harmed or killed.
sense strand
that strand of a double-stranded DNA molecule which serves as the template from which RNA , esp. messenger RNA, is transcribed
strong sense
If you have a sense of something such as duty or justice, you are aware of it and believe it is important.
sense something
You use something to refer to a thing, situation, event, or idea, without saying exactly what it is.
collective sense
If you have a sense that something is the case, you think that it is the case, although you may not have firm , clear evidence for this belief.
sense of humor
Someone who has a sense of humor often finds things amusing , rather than being serious all the time.
sense perception
perception by sight , touch , etc.
sense the mood
The mood of a group of people is the way that they think and feel about an idea, event, or question at a particular time.
sense of direction
Your sense of direction is your ability to know roughly where you are, or which way to go, even when you are in an unfamiliar place.
sense of humour
Someone who has a sense of humour often finds things amusing, rather than being serious all the time.
sense of occasion
If there is a sense of occasion when a planned event takes place, people feel that something special and important is happening.
sensum
a sensation detached both from any information it may convey and from its putative source in the external world, such as the bare awareness of a red visual field. Sense data are held by some philosophers to be the immediate objects of experience providing certain knowledge from which knowledge of material objects is inferred
make sense of sth
When you make sense of something, you succeed in understanding it.
sense of proportion
If someone has a sense of proportion , they know what is really important and what is not.
see sense see reason
If you try to make someone see sense or see reason , you try to make them realize that they are wrong or are being stupid .
sense of humour failure
If there is a failure of something, for example a machine or part of the body, it goes wrong and stops working or developing properly.
word sense disambiguation
the process of identifying which sense of a word is being used in a particular context
a false sense of security
If something gives you a false sense of security , it makes you believe that you are safe when you are not.
to see sense to see reason
If you try to make someone see sense or see reason , you try to make them realize that they are wrong or are being stupid .
have a sense that/get a sense that
If you have a sense that something is true or get a sense that something is true, you think that it is true.
childlike wonder
Wonder is a feeling of great surprise and pleasure that you have, for example when you see something that is very beautiful , or when something happens that you thought was impossible .
humour
You can refer to the amusing things that people say as their humour .
察觉(覺)到 ... chájué dào ... ⇒ He sensed that she did not like him. → 他察觉到她不喜欢他。 Tā chájué dào tā bù xǐhuan tā.
a sense of community
社区(區)感 shèqūgǎn
a sense of occasion
隆重感 lóngzhòng gǎn
a sense of purpose
( in life ) 意义(義)感 yìyìgǎn
in a figurative sense
用比喻意 yòng bǐyùyì
to make sense of sth
理解某事 lǐjiě mǒushì
a keen sense of smell
嗅觉(覺)灵(靈)敏 xiùjué língmǐn
common sense dictates that ...
依据(據)常识(識) ... yījù chángshí ...
in the narrow sense of the word
就该(該)词(詞)的狭(狹)义(義)来(來)说(說) jiù gāi cí de xiáyì lái shuō
there is no sense in doing that
那么(麼)做是不明智的 nàme zuò shì bù míngzhì de
to have a sense of proportion
具有辨别(別)轻(輕)重缓(緩)急的能力 jùyǒu biànbié qīngzhòng huǎnjí de nénglì
to have the sense to do sth
明智地做某事 míngzhì de zuò mǒushì ⇒ They sometimes have the sense to seek help. → 他们有时很明智，知道求助。 Tāmen yǒushí hěn míngzhì, zhīdào qiúzhù.
to knock some sense into sb
让(讓)某人明事理 ràng mǒurén míng shìlǐ
GSOH
good sense of humour 有幽默感 yǒu yōumògǎn
in the strict(est) sense of the word
就某字精确(確)的意义(義)而言 jiù mǒu zì jīngquè de yìyì ér yán
1 (noun)
Definition
any of the faculties (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell) by which the mind receives information about the external world or the state of the body
a keen sense of smell
Synonyms
faculty
He was exhausted and not in control of his faculties.
perception
her perception of the feeling was strong
sensation
A sensation of burning or tingling may be felt in the hands.
feeling
After the accident he had no feeling in his legs.
sensibility
2 (noun)
Definition
a mental perception or awareness
There is no sense of urgency on either side.
Synonyms
feeling
I have a feeling that everything will come right for us.
impression
My impression is that they are totally out of control.
perception
awareness
consciousness
atmosphere
The muted decor adds to the relaxed atmosphere.
aura
She had an aura of authority.
intuition
You can't make a case on intuitions, you know.
premonition
He had an unshakable premonition that he would die.
presentiment
He had a presentiment of disaster.
3 (noun)
Definition
a mental perception or awareness
He has an impeccable sense of timing.
Synonyms
understanding
They have to have a basic understanding of computers.
awareness
appreciation
They have a strong appreciation of the importance of economic incentives.
comprehension
The situation was utterly beyond her comprehension.
discernment
their lack of discernment and acceptance of inferior quality
4 (noun)
Definition
sound practical judgment or intelligence
When he was younger he had a bit more sense.
Synonyms
intelligence
She's a woman of exceptional intelligence.
reason
understanding
brains (informal)
smarts (slang, mainly US)
judgment
Publication of the information was a serious error in judgment.
discrimination
He praised our taste and discrimination.
wisdom
a woman respected for her wisdom and insight
wit(s)
common sense
Her mother acted with remarkable common sense.
sanity
He's been looking at ways of introducing some sanity into the market.
sharpness
tact
nous (British, slang)
cleverness
He congratulated himself on his cleverness.
quickness
discernment
gumption (British, informal)
He didn't have the gumption to seize the opportunity when it came up.
sagacity
a person of great sagacity and immense experience
clear-headedness
mother wit
Opposites
stupidity
,
foolishness
,
silliness
,
idiocy
,
folly
5 (noun)
Definition
reason or purpose
There's no sense in pretending this doesn't happen.
Synonyms
point
What's the point of all these questions?
good
I'm only doing all this for your own good.
use
There's no use you asking me any more questions about that.
reason
a conflict between emotion and reason
value
Studies are needed to see if these therapies have any value.
benefit
I'm a great believer in the benefits of this form of therapy.
worth
The client has little means of judging the worth of the advice he is given.
advantage
A good crowd will be a definite advantage to the team.
purpose
Talking about it will serve no purpose.
logic
The plan was based on sound commercial logic.
6 (noun)
Definition
specific meaning
a noun which has two senses
Synonyms
meaning
I became more aware of the symbols and their meanings.
definition
interpretation
The Opposition put a different interpretation on the figures.
significance
message
The report's message was unequivocal.
import
I have already spoken about the import of his speech.
substance
The substance of his discussions doesn't really matter.
implication
The implication was obvious: vote for us or you'll be sorry.
drift
She was beginning to get his drift.
purport
The purport of his speech was obvious.
nuance
gist
He related the gist of his conversation to us.
signification
denotation
(verb)
Definition
to perceive through the senses
He had sensed what might happen.
Synonyms
perceive
He was beginning to perceive the true nature of their relationship.
feel
She felt something was nearby.
understand
I think you understand my meaning.
notice
People should not hesitate to contact the police if they notice anything suspicious.
pick up
suspect
realize
As soon as we realized what was going on, we moved the children away.
observe
In 1664 Hooke observed a reddish spot on the surface of the planet.
appreciate
She never really appreciated the depth of the conflict.
grasp
be aware of
divine
She tried to divine which of her siblings was telling the truth.
discern
Under the bridge we could just discern a shadowy figure.
just know
have a (funny) feeling (informal)
get the impression
apprehend
Only now can I begin to apprehend the power of these forces.
have a hunch
Opposites
miss
,
overlook
,
misunderstand
,
be unaware of
,
fail to grasp or notice
idioms
See come to your senses
phrases
See make sense
See make sense of
See take leave of your senses
Additional synonyms
in the sense of advantage
Definition
benefit or profit
A good crowd will be a definite advantage to the team.
Synonyms
benefit,
use,
start,
help,
service,
aid,
profit,
favour,
asset,
assistance,
blessing,
utility,
boon,
ace in the hole,
ace up your sleeve,
convenience,
avail
in the sense of appreciate
Definition
to be aware of and understand
She never really appreciated the depth of the conflict.
Synonyms
be aware of,
know,
understand,
estimate,
realize,
acknowledge,
recognize,
perceive,
comprehend,
take account of,
be sensitive to,
be conscious of,
sympathize with,
be alive to,
be cognizant of
in the sense of appreciation
Definition
awareness and understanding of a problem or difficulty
They have a strong appreciation of the importance of economic incentives.
Synonyms
awareness,
understanding,
regard,
knowledge,
recognition,
perception,
sympathy,
consciousness,
sensitivity,
realization,
comprehension,
familiarity,
mindfulness,
cognizance
Synonyms of 'sense'
sense
Explore 'sense' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of apprehend
Definition
to grasp (something) mentally
Only now can I begin to apprehend the power of these forces.
Synonyms
understand,
know,
think,
believe,
imagine,
realize,
recognize,
appreciate,
perceive,
grasp,
conceive,
comprehend,
get the message,
get the picture
in the sense of atmosphere
Definition
a pervasive feeling or mood
The muted decor adds to the relaxed atmosphere.
Synonyms
feeling,
feel,
air,
quality,
character,
environment,
spirit,
surroundings,
tone,
mood,
climate,
flavour,
aura,
ambience,
vibes (slang)
in the sense of aura
Definition
a distinctive air or quality associated with a person or thing
She had an aura of authority.
Synonyms
air,
feeling,
feel,
quality,
atmosphere,
tone,
suggestion,
mood,
scent,
aroma,
odour,
ambience,
vibes (slang),
vibrations (slang),
emanation
in the sense of benefit
Definition
a payment made by an institution or government to a person who is ill, unemployed, etc.
I'm a great believer in the benefits of this form of therapy.
Synonyms
good,
use,
help,
profit,
gain,
advantage,
favour,
reward,
utility,
merit,
boon,
mileage (informal),
avail
in the sense of cleverness
He congratulated himself on his cleverness.
Synonyms
intelligence,
sense,
brains,
wit,
brightness,
nous (British, slang),
suss (slang),
quickness,
gumption (British, informal),
sagacity,
smartness,
astuteness,
quick wits,
smarts (slang, US)
in the sense of common sense
Definition
good practical understanding
Her mother acted with remarkable common sense.
Synonyms
good sense,
sound judgment,
level-headedness,
practicality,
prudence,
nous (British, slang),
soundness,
reasonableness,
gumption (British, informal),
horse sense,
native intelligence,
mother wit,
smarts (slang, US),
wit
in the sense of comprehension
Definition
understanding
The situation was utterly beyond her comprehension.
Synonyms
understanding,
grasp,
conception,
realization,
sense,
knowledge,
intelligence,
judgment,
perception,
discernment
in the sense of denotation
Synonyms
indication,
meaning,
specification,
designation,
signification
in the sense of discern
Definition
to see or be aware of (something) clearly
Under the bridge we could just discern a shadowy figure.
Synonyms
see,
perceive,
make out,
notice,
observe,
recognize,
behold (archaic, literary),
catch sight of,
suss (out) (slang),
espy,
descry
in the sense of discernment
their lack of discernment and acceptance of inferior quality
Synonyms
judgment,
discrimination,
perception,
understanding,
intelligence,
awareness,
insight,
penetration,
ingenuity,
sharpness,
acumen,
cleverness,
keenness,
shrewdness,
perspicacity (formal),
sagacity,
astuteness,
acuteness,
perceptiveness,
clear-sightedness,
percipience
Additional synonyms
in the sense of discrimination
Definition
subtle appreciation in matters of taste
He praised our taste and discrimination.
Synonyms
discernment,
taste,
judgment,
perception,
insight,
penetration,
subtlety,
refinement,
acumen,
keenness,
sagacity,
acuteness,
clearness
in the sense of divine
Definition
to discover (something) by intuition or guessing
She tried to divine which of her siblings was telling the truth.
Synonyms
guess,
understand,
suppose,
suspect,
perceive,
discern,
infer,
deduce,
apprehend,
conjecture,
surmise,
foretell,
intuit,
prognosticate
in the sense of drift
Definition
the main point of an argument or speech
She was beginning to get his drift.
Synonyms
meaning,
point,
gist,
aim,
direction,
object,
import,
intention,
implication,
tendency,
significance,
thrust,
tenor,
purport
in the sense of feel
She felt something was nearby.
Synonyms
perceive,
sense,
detect,
discern,
know,
experience,
notice,
observe
in the sense of gist
Definition
the main point or meaning of something
He related the gist of his conversation to us.
Synonyms
essence,
meaning,
point,
idea,
sense,
import,
core,
substance,
drift,
significance,
marrow,
nub,
pith,
quintessence
in the sense of good
Definition
advantage or benefit
I'm only doing all this for your own good.
Synonyms
benefit,
interest,
gain,
advantage,
use,
service,
profit,
welfare,
behalf,
avail,
usefulness,
wellbeing
in the sense of gumption
Definition
common sense or initiative
He didn't have the gumption to seize the opportunity when it came up.
Synonyms
common sense,
sense,
ability,
spirit,
initiative,
enterprise,
wit(s),
savvy (slang),
acumen,
nous (British, slang),
get-up-and-go (informal),
cleverness,
resourcefulness,
shrewdness,
discernment,
sagacity,
horse sense,
astuteness,
mother wit
in the sense of implication
Definition
an act or instance of suggesting, implying, or being implied
The implication was obvious: vote for us or you'll be sorry.
Synonyms
suggestion,
hint,
inference,
meaning,
conclusion,
significance,
presumption,
overtone,
innuendo,
intimation,
insinuation,
signification
in the sense of import
Definition
meaning
I have already spoken about the import of his speech.
Synonyms
meaning,
implication,
significance,
sense,
message,
bearing,
intention,
explanation,
substance,
drift,
interpretation,
thrust,
purport,
upshot,
gist,
signification
in the sense of impression
Definition
a vague idea or belief
My impression is that they are totally out of control.
Synonyms
idea,
feeling,
thought,
sense,
opinion,
view,
assessment,
judgment,
reaction,
belief,
concept,
fancy,
notion,
conviction,
suspicion,
hunch,
apprehension,
inkling,
funny feeling (informal)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of interpretation
Definition
the act or result of interpreting or explaining
The Opposition put a different interpretation on the figures.
Synonyms
explanation,
meaning,
reading,
understanding,
sense,
analysis,
construction (formal),
exposition,
explication,
elucidation,
signification
in the sense of intuition
Definition
instinctive knowledge of or belief about something without conscious reasoning
You can't make a case on intuitions, you know.
Synonyms
feeling,
idea,
impression,
suspicion,
hunch,
premonition,
inkling,
presentiment
in the sense of judgment
Definition
the ability to make critical distinctions and achieve a balanced viewpoint
Publication of the information was a serious error in judgment.
Synonyms
sense,
common sense,
good sense,
judiciousness,
reason,
understanding,
taste,
intelligence,
smarts (slang, US),
discrimination,
perception,
awareness,
wisdom,
wit,
penetration,
prudence,
sharpness,
acumen,
shrewdness,
discernment,
perspicacity (formal),
sagacity,
astuteness,
percipience
in the sense of logic
Definition
reasoned thought or argument, as distinguished from irrationality
The plan was based on sound commercial logic.
Synonyms
reason,
reasoning,
sense,
good reason,
good sense,
sound judgment
in the sense of message
Definition
an implicit meaning or moral, as in a work of art
The report's message was unequivocal.
Synonyms
point,
meaning,
idea,
moral,
theme,
import,
purport,
MSG
in the sense of notice
Definition
to point out or remark upon
People should not hesitate to contact the police if they notice anything suspicious.
Synonyms
observe,
see,
mind,
note,
spot,
remark,
distinguish,
perceive,
detect,
heed,
discern,
behold (archaic, literary),
mark,
eyeball (slang)
in the sense of observe
Definition
to see or notice
In 1664 Hooke observed a reddish spot on the surface of the planet.
Synonyms
notice,
see,
note,
mark,
discover,
spot,
regard,
witness,
clock (British, slang),
distinguish,
perceive,
detect,
discern,
behold (archaic, literary),
eye,
eyeball (slang),
peer at,
espy,
get a load of (informal)
in the sense of perception
Definition
way of viewing
her perception of the feeling was strong
Synonyms
awareness,
understanding,
sense,
impression,
feeling,
idea,
taste,
notion,
recognition,
observation,
consciousness,
grasp,
sensation,
conception,
apprehension
in the sense of premonition
Definition
a feeling that something unpleasant is going to happen
He had an unshakable premonition that he would die.
Synonyms
feeling,
idea,
intuition,
suspicion,
hunch,
apprehension,
misgiving,
foreboding,
funny feeling (informal),
presentiment,
feeling in your bones
in the sense of presentiment
Definition
a sense that something unpleasant is about to happen
He had a presentiment of disaster.
Synonyms
premonition,
feeling,
expectation,
anticipation,
fear,
forecast,
hunch,
intuition,
apprehension,
misgiving,
foreboding,
presage,
forethought
Additional synonyms
in the sense of purport
Definition
meaning or significance
The purport of his speech was obvious.
Synonyms
significance,
meaning,
idea,
sense,
bearing,
spirit,
import,
implication,
tendency,
drift,
tenor,
gist
in the sense of purpose
Definition
practical advantage or use
Talking about it will serve no purpose.
Synonyms
use,
good,
return,
result,
effect,
value,
benefit,
profit,
worth,
gain,
advantage,
outcome,
utility,
merit,
mileage (informal),
avail,
behoof (archaic)
in the sense of realize
Definition
to be aware of or grasp the significance of
As soon as we realized what was going on, we moved the children away.
Synonyms
become aware of,
understand,
recognize,
appreciate,
take in,
grasp,
conceive,
catch on (informal),
comprehend,
twig (British, informal),
get the message,
apprehend,
become conscious of,
be cognizant of
in the sense of reason
Definition
sanity
a conflict between emotion and reason
Synonyms
sense,
mind,
reasoning,
understanding,
brains,
judgment,
logic,
mentality,
intellect,
comprehension,
apprehension,
sanity,
rationality,
soundness,
sound mind,
ratiocination
in the sense of sagacity
a person of great sagacity and immense experience
Synonyms
wisdom,
shrewdness,
understanding,
sense,
insight,
penetration,
prudence,
foresight,
sharpness,
discernment,
perspicacity (formal),
knowingness,
astuteness,
acuteness,
canniness,
judiciousness,
sapience
in the sense of sanity
Definition
good sense or soundness of judgment
He's been looking at ways of introducing some sanity into the market.
Synonyms
common sense,
sense,
good sense,
rationality,
level-headedness,
judiciousness,
soundness of judgment
in the sense of sensation
Definition
a general feeling or awareness
A sensation of burning or tingling may be felt in the hands.
Synonyms
feeling,
sense,
impression,
perception,
awareness,
consciousness
in the sense of substance
Definition
the essential meaning of a speech, thought, or written article
The substance of his discussions doesn't really matter.
Synonyms
meaning,
main point,
gist,
matter,
subject,
theme,
import,
significance,
essence,
pith,
burden,
sum and substance,
gravamen
in the sense of understand
Definition
to know what is happening or why it is happening
I think you understand my meaning.
Synonyms
comprehend,
get,
take in,
perceive,
grasp,
know,
see,
follow,
realize,
recognize,
appreciate,
be aware of,
penetrate,
make out,
discern,
twig (British, informal),
fathom,
savvy (slang),
apprehend,
conceive of,
suss (British, informal),
get to the bottom of,
get the hang of (informal),
tumble to (informal),
catch on to (informal),
cotton on to (informal),
make head or tail of (informal),
get your head round
in the sense of use
Definition
usefulness or advantage
There's no use you asking me any more questions about that.
Synonyms
good,
point,
help,
service,
value,
benefit,
profit,
worth,
advantage,
utility,
mileage (informal),
avail,
usefulness
Additional synonyms
in the sense of value
Definition
the desirability of something, often in terms of its usefulness or exchangeability
Studies are needed to see if these therapies have any value.
Synonyms
importance,
use,
benefit,
worth,
merit,
point,
help,
service,
sense,
profit,
advantage,
utility,
significance,
effectiveness,
mileage (informal),
practicality,
usefulness,
efficacy,
desirability,
serviceableness
in the sense of wisdom
Definition
the ability to use one's experience and knowledge to make sensible decisions or judgments
a woman respected for her wisdom and insight
Synonyms
understanding,
learning,
knowledge,
intelligence,
smarts (slang, US),
judgment,
insight,
enlightenment,
penetration,
comprehension,
foresight,
erudition,
discernment,
sagacity,
sound judgment,
sapience
in the sense of worth
Definition
high quality
The client has little means of judging the worth of the advice he is given.
Synonyms
usefulness,
value,
benefit,
quality,
importance,
utility,
excellence,
goodness
All related terms of 'sense'
horse sense
common sense, judgment, practicality, nous, gumption
make sense
be clear, be understood, come together, have meaning
sixth sense
intuition, second sight, clairvoyance, feyness
common sense
good sense, sound judgment, level-headedness, practicality, prudence
make sense of
understand, appreciate, comprehend, get to the bottom of, get your head round