Meaning of sense In English

• 0 an ability to understand, recognize, value, or react to something, especially any of the five physical abilities to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel:

  • With her excellent sense of smell, she could tell if you were a smoker from the other side of the room.

  • My cold is so bad I've lost my sense of smell/taste (= I can't smell/taste anything).

  • Did you get any sense of how they might react?

  • The helicopters hovering overhead added to the sense of urgency.

  • Don't be angry - it was just a joke - where's your sense of fun?

  • She has a really good sense of humour.

  • We have the same sense of humour.

  • Come on, lighten up! Where's your sense of humour?

  • The decorations, flowers, and crowds gave the town a real sense of occasion.

• 1 the characteristic of having good judgment, especially when it is based on practical ideas or understanding:

  • [ + to infinitive ] I hope they'll have the (good) sense/have enough sense to shut the windows before they leave.

  • It makes (good) sense to buy a big pack because it works out cheaper in the end.

  • [ + -ing verb ] There's no sense in waiting (= it is not practical to wait) - the next train isn't for two hours.

  • Where's/What's the sense (= what is the advantage) in paying someone when you could get a volunteer?

  • Planning so far ahead makes no sense - so many things will have changed by next year.

  • Have you taken leave of/lost your senses? (= Have you lost your ability to make a good judgment?)

  • It's time you came to your senses (= started to use your good judgment) and realized that they are not going to help you.

  • The accident brought him to his senses (= caused him to use his good judgment again) and made him stop drinking.

• 2 one of the possible meanings of a word or phrase:

  • They are not immigrants, at least not in any sense that I understand.

  • The packaging is green - in both senses of the word (= it is green in colour and it is good for the environment).

  • Security defined in the broad/broadest sense of the term means getting at the root causes of trouble and helping to reduce regional conflicts.

  • This passage doesn't make (any) sense (= the meaning is not clear).

  • I've read the letter twice, but I can't make (any) sense of it (= I can't understand it).

  • It's a book which is, in every sense, about different ways of seeing the world.

  • She claims that the system is at fault and she's right, in a sense (= she is partly right).

  • We are in no sense obliged to agree to this.

• 3 to feel or experience something without being able to explain exactly how:

  • Although she said nothing, I could sense her anger

  • He sensed something was about to happen.

  • [ + (that) ] He sensed (that) his guests were bored, although they were listening politely.

  • [ + question word ] Could you sense what was likely to happen?

• 4 the ability to make reasonable judgments:

  • [ U ] If the boy had any sense he would be scared.

  • [ U ] You ought to have more sense than to get involved with him.

  • [ pl ] Have you taken leave of your senses?

• 5 any of the five physical abilities to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel

• 6 an awareness of something, or an ability to do or understand something:

  • I have a very bad sense of direction.

  • Matt has a great sense of humor.

• 7 a feeling about something:

  • They move with a sense of confidence.

  • Students need some sense of responsibility.

• 8 a meaning of a word or phrase:

  • This isn’t a travel book in the usual sense of the word.

• 9 to feel or be aware of something:

  • Although she said nothing, I could sense her anger.

  • I sensed someone was approaching me from behind.