sense
English meaning: Sense
Definition
Any of the manners by which living beings perceive the physical world: for humans sight, smell, hearing, touch, taste.
Example
“Dogs have a far keener sense of smell than humans.”
Another example: “She has a wonderful sense of humour.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A core noun with several senses: a faculty of perception (sight, hearing), a feeling or awareness ('a sense of pride'), good judgement ('common sense'), and a meaning ('in what sense?'). Also a verb ('I sense danger'). Very common across all registers.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'sensus' (feeling, perception, meaning), from 'sentire' (to feel); in English from the 14th century.
Synonyms
Antonyms / Opposites
- nonsense
Related Words
Common Collocations
- common sense
- sense of humour
- make sense
- sixth sense
- a sense of
- sense of direction
Word Forms
sense (n & v); senses; sensed; sensing; sensory (adj); sensible (adj)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
CC-licensed · free to useVideo
Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B