common sense

noun

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

So far, I've had the common sense not to tweet anything ghastly.

—James Poniewozik

The poker players learns that sometimes both science and common sense are wrong. There is such a thing as absolute premonition of cards, a rock bottom surety of what will happen next.

—David Mamet

With tsunamis, it may seem only common sense to Earth scientists to run away from (and not toward) the water when the sea is drawn rapidly down and away from the beach as a tsunami approaches. But that response is counterintuitive for most people.

—Thomas C. Pierson

commonsense

ˈkä-mən-ˈsen(t)s 

adjective

commonsensible

ˈkä-mən-ˈsen(t)-sə-bəl 

adjective

commonsensical

ˈkä-mən-ˈsen(t)-si-kəl 

adjective

commonsensically

ˈkä-mən-ˈsen(t)-si-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

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

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Red light therapy is generally considered a safe and effective method for all skin types, but there are a few common sense caveats. —Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 24 Nov. 2023

The same antibodies that have long immunized us against darkroom tricks—our skepticism, common sense, and reliance on social verification—are protecting us from being duped by deepfakes. —Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023

The report includes common sense recommendations to improve the landscape for their women employees. —Barbara Bry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Nov. 2023

In 50 years, some told us, a historian might look back at all the squabbling and hand-wringing and broken governmental promises and see a mind-boggling lack of common sense. —Stephanie Hanes, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Oct. 2023

While there’s no empirical evidence that a turkey adorned the first Thanksgiving table, common sense suggests that at least one gobbler could have been gobbled up on that auspicious occasion. —Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2023

Every team uses analytics to some extent since common sense is to utilize as much as information as humanly possible. —Larry Fleisher, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023

Today, the United States Senate took an emphatic step toward common sense and individual liberty. —Samantha-Jo Roth, Washington Examiner, 25 Oct. 2023

Sign up Every law of war, every superhero ethos, every shred of common sense and basic decency tells us that the good guys are the ones who don’t kill children. —Chris Cannon, The New Republic, 18 Oct. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

common sense

noun

: ordinary good sense and judgment

commonsense

ˌkäm-ən-ˌsen(t)s

adjective