common sense

common sense

noun

Definition of COMMON SENSE

: sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts

— com·mon·sense \ˈkä-mən-ˈsen(t)s\ adjective

— com·mon·sen·si·ble \-ˈsen(t)-sə-bəl\ adjective

— com·mon·sen·si·cal \-ˈsen(t)-si-kəl\ adjective

— com·mon·sen·si·cal·ly \-si-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Examples of COMMON SENSE

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

First Known Use of COMMON SENSE

1726

Related to COMMON SENSE

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

imprudence, indiscretion

Related Words

street smarts; farsightedness, forehandedness, foresight, foresightedness, forethoughtfulness, judgment (or judgement); brains, gray matter, intelligence; logicality, logicalness, practicality, rationality, rationalness; discernment, discrimination, insight, sagacity, sapience; acumen, astuteness, clearheadedness, keenness, penetration, perspicacity, shrewdness; care, caution, circumspection, precaution, premeditation

Near Antonyms

shortsightedness; brainlessness, foolishness, half-wittedness, idiocy, senselessness, stupidity; carelessness, heedlessness; unreasonableness

See Synonym Discussion at sense

Rhymes with COMMON SENSE

confidence, evidence, no-nonsense, present tense, recompense, zone defense