reasonable

adjective

SayREE-zuh-nuh-buhl/ˈɹi.zə.nə.bəl/UK/ˈɹiː.zə.nə.bəl/AUSREEZ-nuh-buhl/ˈɹiːz.nə.bəl/

5 meanings of reasonable

1
sensibleadjective
Fair and based on good sense.
Like splitting a treat evenly so everyone feels it is fair.
That sounds like a reasonable decision to me.
The judge reached a reasonable verdict after hearing both sides.
UsageOften it's reasonable to + verb: it's reasonable to ask. A person can be reasonable about something.
Similarfair, equitable, just
Oppositeunjust, absurd, arbitrary, unreasonable
2
kept in boundsadjective
Not too much and kept within fair limits.
Like filling a cup partway instead of letting it overflow.
He set a reasonable limit on how much candy the kids could eat.
Her requests were reasonable and easy to agree to.
Similarmoderate, modest, proper, temperate, measured
Oppositeexcessive, unreasonable
3
not expensiveadjective
Not costing too much and priced in a fair way.
Like paying a fair price that does not empty your pocket.
The hotel was clean and the price was reasonable.
We found a reasonable deal on a used bike.
UsageA kind way to say cheap, with no idea of bad quality: reasonable prices, a very reasonable hotel.
Similaraffordable, inexpensive, cheap, economical, competitive
Oppositeexpensive, extortionate
4
fairly goodadjective
Good enough to be okay.
Like a meal that is not fancy but still does the job.
He did a reasonable job of cleaning the room.
We made reasonable progress on the project today.
UsageIt means quite good, but not great: a reasonable job, a reasonable chance.
Similaracceptable, adequate, decent, satisfactory, fair
Oppositeunsatisfactory

Less common meaning

5
adjectivearchaic
Able to think and use reason.
Similarrational
Oppositeirrational
Note

Practice

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Origin

From Latin ratio (meaning 'reason'), which passed through Old French and Middle English to become 'reasonable'.

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Latin ratio means reason. en.wiktionary.org
Reasonable ultimately derives from Latin ratio through Old French and Middle English. en.wiktionary.org