adj.
Pronunciation: ' sen(t)-s ə -b ə l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin sensibilis, from sensus, past participle of sentire to feel
Date: 14th century
1 : of a kind to be felt or perceived: as a : perceptible to the senses or to reason or understanding <felt a sensible chill> <her distress was sensible from her manner> b archaic : perceptibly large : CONSIDERABLE c : perceptible as real or material : SUBSTANTIAL <the sensible world in which we live>
2 a : capable of receiving sensory impressions < sensible to pain> b : receptive to external influences : SENSITIVE <the most sensible reaches of the spirit>
3 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
4 : having, containing, or indicative of good sense or reason : RATIONAL , REASONABLE < sensible people> <made a sensible answer>
5 : designed for practical ends (as comfort) rather than for appearance < sensible shoes>
synonyms see MATERIAL , PERCEPTIBLE , AWARE , WISE
– sen · si · ble · ness noun
– sen · si · bly \ -bl ē \ adverb