reasonable

adjective

rea·​son·​able ˈrē-zᵊn-ə-bəl 

ˈrēz-nə-bəl

1

a

: being in accordance with reason

a reasonable theory

b

: not extreme or excessive

reasonable requests

c

: moderate, fair

a reasonable chance

a reasonable price

d

: inexpensive

2

a

: having the faculty of reason

b

: possessing sound judgment

a reasonable man

reasonability

ˌrēz-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē, 

ˌrē-zᵊn-ə- 

noun

reasonableness

ˈrēz-nə-bəl-nəs, 

ˈrē-zᵊn-ə- 

noun

reasonably

ˈrēz-nə-blē, 

ˈrē-zᵊn-ə- 

adverb

Synonyms of reasonable

• logical
• rational
• valid
• coherent
• good
• sensible

Examples of reasonable in a Sentence

We have reasonable cause not to believe him.

She offered a reasonable compromise.

It's not reasonable to expect perfect weather.

Please be more reasonable. There is no way I'll be able to finish all this work in so little time.

A reasonable man would not expect such a thing.

Our boss has reasonable expectations of his employees.

The team has a reasonable chance of winning.

He makes a reasonable amount of money.

The store's prices are reasonable.

The hotel offers excellent accommodations at reasonable rates.

Recent Examples on the Web

In big cities, $13,128 might sound reasonable. —Lauren Hilgers, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025

Advertisement What might have happened, had someone trained in conflict mediation been dispatched to Susan Lorincz’s first 911 call—or the third, or sixth—to sit down with all the parties and discuss reasonable parameters for the kids’ outdoor playtime? —S. Rebecca Neusteter, Time, 23 Nov. 2025

The Redwoods Treewalk and Nightlights experiences are suitable for anyone who can walk unaided and has a reasonable level of fitness (the route is just under half a mile). —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2025

Claypool said that the Blendon Township Police Department has guidelines that instruct officers to take reasonable steps to move out of the path of an approaching vehicle instead of discharging their firearm at the vehicle. —Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing reasonable

• beyond a reasonable doubt
• reasonable facsimile

Rhymes for reasonable

• seasonable
• treasonable
• unseasonable

Kids Definition

reasonable

adjective

rea·​son·​able ˈrēz-nə-bəl 

-ᵊn-ə-bəl

1

a

: not beyond what is usual or expected : moderate

a reasonable request

a reasonable chance of success

b

: not expensive

reasonable prices

2

: able to reason : rational

a reasonable person

reasonability

ˌrēz-nə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

-ᵊn-ə-

noun

reasonableness

ˈrēz-nə-bəl-nəs 

-ᵊn-ə-

noun

reasonably

-blē 

adverb

Legal Definition

reasonable

adjective

rea·​son·​able

1

a

: being in accordance with reason, fairness, duty, or prudence

b

: of an appropriate degree or kind

c

: supported or justified by fact or circumstance

a reasonable belief that force was necessary for self-defense

d

: commercially reasonable

2

: applying reason or logic

broadly : rational sense 1

a reasonable mind

reasonableness noun

reasonably adverb