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reasonably

B2
adverb

Pronunciation

UK

  • /rˈiːzənəbli/

US

  • /ˈrizənəbli/

Description

Imagine you're asking a friend for help with a big project. You wouldn't ask them to do everything because that would be unfair. But asking them to help in a fair and sensible way is much more likely to get a "yes."

"Reasonably" describes something done or expected in a way that is fair, sensible, and practical. It often points to a middle ground, not too much and not too little. A "reasonably priced" item is not always the cheapest, but the price feels fair for what you get. A "reasonably accurate" estimate may not be exact, but it is close enough to be useful. You can also use it for behavior: "He reacted reasonably to the news," meaning he stayed calm and did not overreact.

Examples

  1. 1

    Restaurant prices

    The restaurant is reasonably priced for this part of town.

  2. 2

    Language ability

    She speaks Italian reasonably well now.

  3. 3

    Moderate certainty

    I'm reasonably sure I left my keys on the kitchen table.

  4. 4

    Software usability

    The software is reasonably easy to use once you learn the basics.

  5. 5

    Travel planning

    We should arrive by six if the traffic is reasonably light.

  6. 6

    Conflict resolution

    Even after the disagreement, they spoke reasonably and worked things out.

    • Meaning

      spoke reasonably

      spoke in a calm, sensible way

  7. 7

    Fair expectations

    You can't reasonably expect everyone to answer emails late at night.

    • Pattern

      can't reasonably expect + someone to do X

      it would not be fair or sensible to expect it

  8. 8

    Movie opinion

    The film was reasonably entertaining, but I probably wouldn't watch it again.

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • reasonablyadverb