Commonsense: meaning, definitions and examples

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commonsense

 

[ ˈkɒmənˌsɛns ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

general knowledge

Commonsense refers to the basic ability to perceive, understand, and judge things that are shared by nearly all people without any need for debate or specialized knowledge. It's the type of practical reasoning that helps individuals make decisions based on simple, straightforward principles. Commonsense often serves as a guideline for conduct in everyday life, helping people to navigate social situations and make prudent choices.

Synonyms

good sense, practical wisdom, sound judgment.

Examples of usage

  • It’s common sense to wear a helmet while riding a bike.
  • Using commonsense can prevent many potential accidents at home.
  • He lacks commonsense when it comes to financial decisions.

Translations

Translations of the word "commonsense" in other languages:

🇵🇹 senso comum

🇮🇳 समान ज्ञान

🇩🇪 Gesunder Menschenverstand

🇮🇩 akal sehat

🇺🇦 здравий глузд

🇵🇱 zdrowy rozsądek

🇯🇵 常識

🇫🇷 bon sens

🇪🇸 sentido común

🇹🇷 sağduyu

🇰🇷 상식

🇸🇦 الفهم السليم

🇨🇿 zdravý rozum

🇸🇰 zdravý rozum

🇨🇳 常识

🇸🇮 zdrav razum

🇮🇸 heilbrigður skynsemi

🇰🇿 денсаулықты сезім

🇬🇪 ჯანმრთელი აზროვნება

🇦🇿 sağlam düşüncə

🇲🇽 sentido común

Etymology

The word 'commonsense' originated in the late 14th century from the Latin phrase 'sensus communis', which referred to a shared understanding or basic perception. Historically, it implied the idea of a collective intuition that all humans share, which allows individuals to make judgments in everyday situations. By the 18th century, the term evolved to signify the practical and instinctive ability to assess situations based on inherent human knowledge rather than learned expertise. In modern usage, it encompasses a variety of practical everyday judgments and is often invoked in discussions about moral reasoning and decision-making. The concept has been explored in philosophical debates, emphasizing its importance in moral philosophy and ethics, as it suggests a fundamental, often implicit understanding of right and wrong that informs human actions.