reasonable

Being reasonable means being guided by good sense and logic—not letting emotions cloud your judgment. If your little brother wants to eat ice cream for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, asking him to be reasonable might involve suggesting a more balanced meal plan! It's about finding solutions that are fair and practical, considering all sides of an issue. A reasonable price is one that feels just right—not too high and not too low. You would expect a reasonable explanation for why your flight was delayed, something beyond "the pilot felt like it."

The word "reasonable" describes something that is fair, sensible, and based on good judgment or logic. It implies a balance between what is desired and what is actually possible or justifiable. For example, saying "She made a reasonable request for a raise after exceeding her sales goals" suggests the request was well-deserved and justified by her performance.

"Reasonable" isn't about getting everything you want, but about finding solutions that are practical and acceptable to all parties involved. It often comes into play during negotiations or disagreements. You might say, "Let's try to reach a reasonable compromise," meaning you want to find a solution everyone can live with.

The concept of "reasonable force" is important in law—it refers to the amount of force someone can legally use to defend themselves or others, which must be proportionate to the threat. Similarly, "a reasonable person" is a legal term used to describe how an ordinary, prudent individual would act under similar circumstances.

Sometimes, "reasonable" simply means moderate or within normal limits. "A reasonable amount of exercise" isn't running a marathon every day, but rather staying active in a healthy way.

So whether you're describing a fair price, a sensible decision, or an acceptable level of force, "reasonable" is all about finding the sweet spot between what's ideal and what's practical—guided by logic, fairness, and good judgment.