What does sensibility mean?
Sensibility is the capacity to exercise sound judgment, especially when dealing with practical, moral, social, or aesthetic questions. In contemporary usage, it often implies a thoughtful awareness of what is reasonable and an ability to avoid unnecessary complications. The word can also refer more broadly to sensitivity of feeling or perception, although this sense is more literary or specialized than the familiar meaning of good practical judgment. A person displaying sensibility is generally balanced, perceptive, and capable of making sensible decisions without becoming rigid or insensitive. The term often appears in discussions of common sense, moral sensibility, artistic sensibility, and political judgment. Its slightly formal tone gives it a more reflective character than expressions such as “common sense,” while remaining distinct from “sensitivity,” which more commonly emphasizes responsiveness to emotions, sensations, or social concerns.
The quality of being sensible, especially the ability to make sound and practical judgments.
"His lack of sensibility made it impossible to discuss the problem calmly."
Common in formal and literary English; often implies both good judgment and awareness of practical or moral considerations.
Sensitivity or awareness, especially of moral, aesthetic, emotional, or social distinctions.
"The novel is admired for its moral sensibility and vivid characterization."
This sense is especially common in literary, artistic, and political contexts.
The faculty or capacity to perceive sensation.
"The philosophers debated whether sensibility could exist independently of physical experience."
This is a historical, literary, or specialized philosophical sense.
The plural is common when referring to a person's moral, emotional, artistic, or social awareness, especially in the phrase “sensibilities.”
"The policy aroused the sensibilities of members of the local community."
In everyday English, sensibility is the quiet superpower of knowing what is sensible before everyone else has finished arguing about it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of sensibility
Sensibility entered English in the late 16th century from Latin sensibilitas, a word related to sensus, “sense” or “sensation,” and to the Latin family of words associated with feeling and perception. The English word originally encompassed both the capacity to perceive sensations and the quality of being sensible or discerning. Over time, its dominant everyday sense shifted toward sound judgment and practical awareness. Related English forms include sensible, sensibly, sensitive, sensory, and sensuous, all reflecting the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How sensibility is actually used
In modern general use, the word is somewhat formal and often suggests sound judgment or practical awareness. The older sense connected with perceiving sensations is mainly literary, historical, or philosophical.
Easily confused with sensibility
Sensibility usually refers to good judgment or awareness, whereas sensitivity more often refers to responsiveness to feelings, sensations, or social concerns.
Sensibility is the quality of being sensible, while sensible is an adjective describing a person, decision, or action.