What does sense mean?
Sense is a versatile word describing both perception and understanding. In its physical sense, it names the faculties of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch, as in 'a keen sense of hearing.' It can also refer to an awareness or intuitive understanding, such as having a strong sense that something is wrong. When applied to language, ideas, or actions, a sense is a particular meaning or interpretation: a sentence may make sense, or an event may be described as having a historical sense. In older and formal expressions, sense can additionally mean mental soundness, as in the phrase 'in one's senses.' As a verb, sense means to become aware of something or recognize it intuitively, often without being able to explain the reason. Together, these uses connect physical perception, emotional insight, interpretation, and sound judgment, making sense a useful word for both sensory experience and abstract understanding.
The faculty or power of perception through the body, especially sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch; also an awareness, understanding, or interpretation of something, or a particular meaning.
"The owl has an exceptional sense of hearing."
To become aware of or intuitively recognize something.
"I sensed that something was wrong."
The plural commonly refers collectively to the physical faculties of perception, especially in phrases such as 'the five senses.' It can also mean multiple meanings or interpretations.
"Children learn about their five senses through play and observation."
The word sense connects what the body perceives with what the mind understands, linking the five familiar senses to a figure of speech.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sense come from?
The English word descends from Latin sensus, a form of sens-, meaning 'perception' or 'feeling,' which was related to sentire, 'to perceive' or 'to feel.' The noun sense developed through Old French sens, while the verb initially meant 'to perceive' and later broadened to mean 'to understand' or 'to realize.' Many English words, including sensible, sensitive, sensory, sensation, and sentiment, continue the same Latin root through different semantic developments.
Related word forms
How sense is actually used
The phrase 'common sense' is more established than any single modern alternative. In formal writing, 'sense' often means understanding or sound judgment, as in 'the sense of the proposal,' whereas 'senses' may refer collectively to a person's physical perceptual faculties.
Easily confused with sense
A sense is a faculty or awareness, whereas a scent is an odor or the smell perceived by a particular sense.
A sense can refer to a faculty, awareness, or way of understanding, while a meaning is primarily the significance or interpretation attached to something.