WordGarden.iosense
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /sˈɛns/
US
- /ˈsɛns/
Meanings
Noun
a faculty for perceiving, such as sight or hearing
meaning or intelligibility
a general feeling, awareness, or appreciation of something
More meaningsFewer meanings
sound practical judgment
Verb
to perceive or detect something
Beyond the definition
"Sense" is a very flexible word. It can mean one of the ways we receive information from the world, such as sight, smell, taste, touch, or hearing. For example, someone might have a strong sense of smell or a good sense of balance. It can also mean a feeling or awareness that something is true, even before you have clear proof.
The word is also often used for understanding, judgment, and meaning. If something makes sense, it is clear or reasonable. If someone has common sense, they make practical choices. You can also talk about a sense of humor, a sense of duty, or ask, "What's the sense in doing that?" In everyday English, this word often connects perception, thought, and meaning.
The word "sense" can describe both physical perception and mental understanding, which is why it appears in so many everyday expressions. One common use is for the natural abilities that let us experience the world: sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing. We also use it for related abilities, as in a sense of balance, a sense of direction, or a sense of timing.
Another very common use is for a feeling, impression, or awareness. You might say you had a sense that someone was upset, or that there was a sense of excitement in the room. In these cases, the word suggests that you notice something or feel it clearly, even if it is hard to explain exactly why.
"Sense" also often means understanding, reason, or sound judgment. If an idea makes sense, it seems clear and logical. If something does not make sense, it seems confusing or unreasonable. The phrase "common sense" refers to practical judgment in ordinary situations. We also use the word in phrases such as "make sense of" something, which means to understand it.
Beyond that, "sense" can describe a particular attitude, quality, or way of seeing things. People talk about a sense of humor, a sense of duty, a sense of responsibility, or a sense of style. In these examples, the word points to a personal quality or a general feeling that shapes how someone thinks or acts.
It can also refer to meaning, purpose, or a specific way a word or statement is understood. If you ask, "What's the sense in arguing?" you are asking what the point or value is. If someone says, "In one sense, that's true," they mean that it is true in one particular way.
Taken together, "sense" is a word about receiving, feeling, understanding, and interpreting. It helps describe how we notice the world, how we judge situations, and how we find meaning in what happens around us.
Examples
- 1
Clear explanation
Your explanation makes sense now.
- 2
Instructions
I couldn't make sense of the instructions at first.
- Patternmake sense of + something
understand it
- 3
Intuition
I had a sense that something was wrong.
- Patterna sense that ...
a feeling or idea that ...
- 4
Atmosphere
There was a real sense of excitement before the concert.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Humor
She has a great sense of humor.
- 6
Navigation
He has no sense of direction.
- 7
Taste
After the cold, I still didn't have much sense of taste.
- 8
Practical judgment
Use your common sense and take an umbrella.
- Phrasecommon sense
practical good judgment
- 9
Emotional awareness
I could sense that she was upset, even though she said nothing.
- 10
Partial truth
In a sense, leaving home made him more confident.
- Phrasein a sense
in one way, but not completely
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- obliviousness
- certainty
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- a sense of unease
- a strong sense that
- lose all sense of
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- sensenounverb
Forms
- sensespluralnounverb
- sensing-ing formverbnoun
- sensedpast tenseverbnoun