sensible
adjectivepractical and showing good judgement
Sensible = good sense: a smart, practical choice.
Sensible vs sensitive
They look alike and many languages have a similar word with a different meaning, so check before you use them.
2 wordsaudio · quiz
Quick answer
Sensible means practical and showing good sense. Sensitive means easily affected by feelings or touch.
sensitive
adjectiveeasily affected by feelings, or by touch, light or sound
Sensitive = easily affected by feelings, touch, light or sound.
The difference at a glance
| Word | Type | Means | Example | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sensible | adjective | practical and showing good judgement | It's sensible to carry an umbrella in April. | |
| sensitive | adjective | easily affected by feelings, or by touch, light or sound | He's very sensitive about his accent. |
See each one in a sentence
adjective
sensible
Examples
It's sensible to carry an umbrella in April.
She gave me some sensible advice.
Common mistake
Not: Be sensitive and wear a coat. It's freezing.
Say: Be sensible and wear a coat. It's freezing.
A practical choice is sensible.
adjective
sensitive
Examples
He's very sensitive about his accent.
My skin is sensitive to the sun.
Common mistake
Not: She is too sensible to criticism.
Say: She is too sensitive to criticism.
Easily hurt by something is sensitive.
Pick the right word
Fill the gap
Read the sentence, then choose the word that fits.
Now use them yourself
Write or say two sentences, one with each word, in a real conversation.