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

Look for calmer alternatives using common sense and understanding to ensure your success. —Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2024

Police have contacted state game wardens about the animal, but officials reminded the public to remain cautious and to use common sense. —Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2024

This is just traditional spying, and conducting it is common sense, if only to defend against the aggressive anti-American operations of Chinese, Russian, and other skilled foreign intelligence services. —The Editors, National Review, 12 Apr. 2024

One man scrambled our common sense, seduced our better natures and rational selves. —Wesley Morris, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024

Most of them are common sense, like: Don’t drive and watch the eclipse at the same time, don’t drive with eclipse glasses on and avoid congested roads. —Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 2 Apr. 2024

Huntington Beach just voted to adopt a voter ID measure in city elections, a common sense voter confidence measure already adopted in 34 states. —Michael Thielen, Orange County Register, 1 Apr. 2024

Formed in the days following the school shooting, the non-profit organized its first annual human chain – more than 10,000 people and three miles long – a year ago to advocate for common sense gun laws. —Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024

But the numbers shouldn't be confused as bottom-line answers that supplant common sense. —USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024

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