sense

Pluralsenses

Formssenses, sensing, sensed

1. 1
   feelingnounusually singular

   A feeling or awareness in your mind, such as a feeling of calm or a feeling that something is true.

   Like a quiet feeling inside that tells you something before you can prove it.

   He had a strong sense that he was being watched.

   A sudden sense of calm came over her in the quiet room.

   UsageSay a sense of calm, or a sense that something is true.

   Similarfeeling, awareness, impression, suspicion, perception

   Note
2. 2
   logicnoununcountable

   The meaning, point, or purpose of something.

   Like asking 'what's the point?' before you start a task.

   There's no sense in waiting if the store is already closed.

   What's the sense of buying two of the same thing?

   UsageSay it makes sense (not incorrect: it has sense). No sense in waiting means waiting is pointless.

   Similarpoint, logic, rationale, reason, purpose

   Note
3. 3
   sight or hearingnouncountable

   One of the body's ways of knowing the world, like sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.

   Like different doors that let the world come in: one for seeing, one for hearing, one for smelling.

   Dogs rely on their sense of smell far more than people do.

   Losing one sense, such as sight, can make the others sharper.

   UsageSay sense of smell or sense of sight.

   Similarfaculty

   Note
4. 4
   good judgmentnoununcountable

   The ability to think clearly and make good, practical choices.

   Like a built-in compass that points you toward the smart thing to do.

   She had the good sense to save money for emergencies.

   He showed real sense by staying calm during the argument.

   UsageSay have the sense to save money. Make sense means be clear.

   Similarjudgment, wisdom, prudence, intelligence

   Oppositefoolishness, folly, stupidity

   Note
5. 5
   nouncountable

   One of the different meanings a word or phrase can have, like each numbered meaning in a dictionary.

   Like one key that can open more than one door.

   This word has more than one sense, so check the context.

   The joke works because 'light' is used in two senses at once.

   UsageSay a word is used in a certain sense.

   Similarmeaning, definition

6. 6
   a feel fornounusually singular

   A natural feel or talent for something.

   Like having a good ear for music without ever being taught.

   He has a good sense of direction and rarely gets lost.

   She has a natural sense for matching colors that work well together.

   UsageSay a sense of humor or a good sense of direction.

   Similarfeel, flair, appreciation, instinct

   Note
7. 7
   know by instinctverbtransitive

   To feel that something is true without being told.

   Like feeling rain coming before the first drop falls.

   Dogs can sense when their owner is sad.

   He sensed that something had changed between them.

   Similarfeel, detect, perceive, intuit, discern

8. 8
   detect physicallyverbtransitive

   To see, hear, smell, taste, or feel something.

   Like the way your skin feels heat from a warm stove.

   Insects can sense light through their tiny eyes.

   We sense flavors using taste buds on the tongue.

   Similardetect, perceive, feel

9. 9
   understandverbtransitive

   To understand what something means.

   Like a puzzle suddenly fitting together in your mind.

   I could sense what he meant even with so few words.

   She began to sense the point of the lesson halfway through.

   Similargrasp, understand, comprehend, appreciate, realize

10. 10
    nouncountable or uncountable

    The way something is presented or described, not just the thing it points to.

    Like calling the same person 'Mom' or 'Doctor Lee': one person, but a different way of seeing her.

    'My mom' and 'my dad's wife' can name one person but differ in sense.

    Two words can name the same thing but have a different sense.

    Note

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