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

The unflattering truth, this skeptic might continue, is that my views on slavery simply reflect the moral common sense of the society I was born into. —Nikhil Krishnan, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024

But the combined weight of scientific endeavor being applied to the problem—plus a healthy dose of old-fashioned common sense—should mean the next Rudy Kurniawan is stopped before they ever really get started. —Chris Hall, WIRED, 18 Dec. 2024

South Texas Hispanics in particular are joining the party of faith, family, freedom & common sense – the Republican Party. —Bethany Blankley | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 13 Dec. 2024

This violent inconsistency is a problem for Tottenham, attributed to a variety of factors from Ange Postecoglou’s dogmatic style to a simple lack of common sense and basic individual errors from their players. —Nick Miller, The Athletic, 13 Dec. 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