sensibility

noun

sen·​si·​bil·​i·​ty ˌsen(t)-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

plural sensibilities

1

: ability to receive sensations : sensitiveness

tactile sensibility

2

: peculiar susceptibility to a pleasurable or painful impression (as from praise or a slight)

—often used in plural

3

: awareness of and responsiveness toward something (such as emotion in another)

4

: refined or excessive sensitiveness in emotion and taste with especial responsiveness to the pathetic

Did you know?

The meanings of sensibility run the gamut from mere sensation to excessive sentimentality. In between is a capacity for delicate appreciation, a sense often pluralized. In Jane Austen's books, sensibility is mostly an admirable quality she attributes to, or finds lacking in, her characters: "He had ... a sensibility to what was amiable and lovely" (of Mr. Elliot in Persuasion). In Sense and Sensibility, however, Austen starts out by ascribing to Marianne sensibleness, on the one hand, but an "excess of sensibility" on the other: "Her sorrows, her joys, could have no moderation ... she was everything but prudent."

Synonyms

• feeling
• heartstrings
• passions

Examples of sensibility in a Sentence

The writer is remembered most for his sensibility.

She's a woman of poetic sensibility.

Recent Examples on the Web

The duality of the collection’s embrace of heritage and modernity speaks to the refined, yet cool sensibility of our customers. —Luisa Zargani, WWD, 21 Jan. 2025

The shows demonstrate the breadth of Merritt’s curiosity, intellect, and playful sensibility, touching on everything from the struggle against nature to an arguably unhealthy obsession with the post-hardcore/emo band My Chemical Romance. —Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 21 Jan. 2025

The collection which is currently available online and in-stores at 1,000 Walmart locations speaks to the accessibility and warm sensibilities associated with the streetwear brand. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 20 Jan. 2025

Blue Velvet Blue Velvet combines classic Hitchcockian elements with Lynch's distinctive visual style and edgy sensibility. —Ars Technica, 17 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

sensibility

noun

sen·​si·​bil·​i·​ty ˌsen(t)-sə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

plural sensibilities

1

: ability to receive sensations : sensitiveness

2

: response to a pleasurable or painful impression (as praise or criticism)

3

: the emotion or feeling of which a person is capable

Medical Definition

sensibility

noun

sen·​si·​bil·​i·​ty ˌsen(t)-sə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

plural sensibilities

1

: ability to receive sensations

sensibility to pain

2

: awareness of and responsiveness toward something (as emotion in another)