1 common sense | Definition of common sense
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

common sense

noun

Definition of common sense

: sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts She's very smart but doesn't have a lot of common sense. rely on common sense for personal safety
Other Words from common sense Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about common sense

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from common sense

commonsense \ ˈkä-​mÉ™n-​ˈsen(t)s How to pronounce commonsense (audio) \ adjective
commonsensible \ ˈkä-​mÉ™n-​ˈsen(t)-​sÉ™-​bÉ™l How to pronounce commonsensible (audio) \ adjective
commonsensical \ ˈkä-​mÉ™n-​ˈsen(t)-​si-​kÉ™l How to pronounce commonsensical (audio) \ adjective
commonsensically \ ˈkä-​mÉ™n-​ˈsen(t)-​si-​k(É™-​)lÄ“ How to pronounce commonsensically (audio) \ adverb

Synonyms & Antonyms for common sense

Synonyms

discreetness, discretion, gumption [chiefly dialect], horse sense, levelheadedness, nous [chiefly British], policy, prudence, sense, sensibleness, wisdom, wit

Antonyms

imprudence, indiscretion

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

Choose the Right Synonym for common sense

sense, common sense, judgment, wisdom mean ability to reach intelligent conclusions. sense implies a reliable ability to judge and decide with soundness, prudence, and intelligence. a choice showing good sense common sense suggests an average degree of such ability without sophistication or special knowledge. common sense tells me it's wrong judgment implies sense tempered and refined by experience, training, and maturity. they relied on her judgment for guidance wisdom implies sense and judgment far above average. a leader of rare wisdom

Examples of common sense in a Sentence

You really should go to see a doctor if your leg hurts that much. It's just common sense! Obey the laws and use common sense when operating your boat. She's very smart but she doesn't have a lot of common sense.
See More

Recent Examples on the Web

 Dogs are trainable, usually, and possess dog sense, as fine a substitute as any when there’s a shortage of common sense. — Brian T. Allen, National Review, "Dog Days of Summer? Visit the New Museum of the Dog," 24 Aug. 2019 Misunderstandings abounded, but there was a never a problem that couldn't be solved with a little common sense, a heart-to-heart conversation, or maybe an impromptu sing-along on the front porch. — Sara K. Eskridge, Houston Chronicle, "Why Americans love Mayberry," 19 Aug. 2019 The imagery has evoked immense anger and hurt from people who have hearts and common sense, including our resident skeptic. — Danielle Young, Essence, "Why Did White Galveston Police Officers Use A Leash On This Black Man?," 9 Aug. 2019 Today, cigarettes are stigmatized by common sense, social disparagement and government, whose best cost-benefit ratio involves the dissemination of public health warnings. — George Will, Twin Cities, "George Will: The puzzling problem of vaping," 24 July 2019 But there needs to be a common sense, middle ground solution that doesn’t punish people for going to work. — J.d. Crowe | [email protected], al.com, "Bridge the gap between ‘No Tolls’ and ‘No Bridge’," 22 July 2019 Buy an inexpensive grill and use some common sense in preparing that food. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "Your Ultimate Grill Buying Guide—Tested and Approved," 18 July 2019 In the end, the narrator informs us that Cinderella is victorious because of her beauty and her kindness — and because of her courage, common sense, and good fortune in having a fairy godmother. — Constance Grady, Vox, "The slippery genius of the Cinderella story," 5 June 2019 More than 40 years of research prove the accuracy of eyewitness identification is not based on common sense, in part because of the way people perceive traumatic events, the Innocence Project statement says. — Emily Lane, nola.com, "Governor Edwards signs law allowing expert testimony on problems with eyewitness IDs," 5 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'common sense.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of common sense

1726, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for common sense

common sense

noun

English Language Learners Definition of common sense

: the ability to think and behave in a reasonable way and to make good decisions

See the full definition for common sense in the English Language Learners Dictionary

common sense

noun

Kids Definition of common sense

: ordinary good sense and judgment

Other Words from common sense

commonsense \ ˈkä-​mÉ™n-​ˈsens \ adjective a commonsense approach

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on common sense

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with common sense

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for common sense

Spanish Central: Translation of common sense

Nglish: Translation of common sense for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of common sense for Arabic Speakers

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!