sixth sense

noun

: a power of perception like but not one of the five senses : a keen intuitive power

Example Sentences

She claimed to have a sixth sense for knowing when someone was about to call her. a filmmaker with a sixth sense for knowing which stories the general public will find irresistible
Recent Examples on the Web Because of, sort of, the sixth sense in the pocket, the decision-making, processing information quickly. Mike Rodak | Mrodak@al.com, al, 11 Apr. 2023 Developing a sixth sense means training your team to notice who is not being included, what is not being said and why. Joyce Talag, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2023 Sharks have a sixth sense. Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, 14 July 2022 Call it a sixth sense. Jeff Mcdonald, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Nov. 2021 Her mom’s kind of got a sixth sense. Phil Thompson, chicagotribune.com, 11 Nov. 2021 Vertebrates used to have a sixth sense. Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2011 In Silas Howard’s endearing but uneven film Darby and the Dead, the heroine parlays her sixth sense into a side gig. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Dec. 2022 Advertisement About Fiona’s younger brother Sam, however, Gamache has never had any doubts: His sixth sense has always told him that handsome Sam (whom everyone else finds charming) is malicious, maybe worse. Maureen Corrigan, Washington Post, 2 Dec. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sixth sense.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1761, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sixth sense was in 1761

Dictionary Entries Near sixth sense

Cite this Entry

“Sixth sense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sixth%20sense. Accessed 10 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

sixth sense

noun
: a special ability to sense something that does not involve the five senses
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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