common sense

[ kom-uhn sens ]

noun

1. sound practical judgment that is independent of specialized knowledge, training, or the like; normal native intelligence.

common sense

noun

1. plain ordinary good judgment; sound practical sense

adjective

1. inspired by or displaying sound practical sense

Common Sense

1. (1776) A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that called for the United States to declare independence from Britain immediately. Written in a brisk and pungent style, Common Sense had a tremendous impact and helped to persuade many Americans that they could successfully wage a war for their independence.

Other Words From

• com·mon-sense com·mon·sense adjective
• com·mon·sen·si·cal com·mon·sen·si·ble adjective
• com·mon·sen·si·cal·ly com·mon·sen·si·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of common sense¹

1525–35; translation of Latin sēnsus commūnis, itself translation of Greek koinḕ aísthēsis

Related Words

• good sense
• horse sense
• intelligence
• practicality
• rationality
• rule of thumb
• sense
• sound judgment
• sound sense
• wisdom
• wit