sensibility

[ sen-suh-bil-i-tee ]

noun

, plural sen·si·bil·i·ties.

1. capacity for sensation or feeling; responsiveness or susceptibility to sensory stimuli.
2. mental susceptibility or responsiveness; quickness and acuteness of apprehension or feeling.

   Synonyms: awareness, alertness

3. keen consciousness or appreciation.
4. sensibilities, emotional capacities.
5. Sometimes sensibilities. liability to feel hurt or offended; sensitive feelings.
6. Often sensibilities. capacity for intellectual and aesthetic distinctions, feelings, tastes, etc.:

   a man of refined sensibilities.

7. the property, as in plants or instruments, of being readily affected by external influences.

sensibility

/ ˌsɛnsɪˈbɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. the ability to perceive or feel
2. often plural the capacity for responding to emotion, impression, etc
3. often plural the capacity for responding to aesthetic stimuli
4. mental responsiveness; discernment; awareness
5. usually plural emotional or moral feelings

   cruelty offends most people's sensibilities

6. the condition of a plant of being susceptible to external influences, esp attack by parasites

Other Words From

• hyper·sensi·bili·ty noun
• nonsen·si·bili·ty noun plural nonsensibilities
• unsen·si·bili·ty noun plural unsensibilities

Word History and Origins

Origin of sensibility¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English sensibilite, from Middle French, from Late Latin sēnsibilitās. See sensible, -ity

Synonym Study

Sensibility, susceptibility, sensitiveness, sensitivity refer to capacity to respond to or be affected by something. Sensibility is, particularly, capacity to respond to aesthetic and emotional stimuli: the sensibility of the artist. Susceptibility is the state or quality of being impressionable and responsive, especially to emotional stimuli; in the plural it has much the same meaning as sensibility : a person of keen susceptibilities. Sensitiveness is the state or quality of being sensitive, of having a capacity of sensation and of responding to external stimuli: sensitiveness to light. Sensitivity is a special capability of being sensitive to physiological, chemical action or a tendency to be easily affected by the adverse reactions of others: the sensitivity of a nerve; sensitivity to criticism.

Example Sentences

In Pete Wells's review for The Noortwyck in The New York Times last November, he wrote that Chef Andy Quinn "finds the middle ground between grandeur and informality," adding that he's "exacting and precise, with a whole arsenal of skills and a minimalist sensibility that calls for most of the technical stuff to be tucked quietly into dishes that look simple and straightforward, even when they’re not."

From Salon

The Vatican also represented a cosmopolitan sensibility, as evidenced by the diversity of the cast in the film.

From Los Angeles Times

When more theatrical elements come into play — such as the Mexican flower lady crying, “Flores para los Muertos” — the staging feels almost intruded upon by an extraneous sensibility.

From Los Angeles Times

Some images are as beloved as Barbra Streisand’s song catalog, but half of the photos in this 336-page book haven’t been widely seen before, documenting Streisand’s importance as an actor, singer, director, writer and dancer who has worked with the best in the business while maintaining her own sensibility and standards.

From Los Angeles Times

“At the end of the day what I will bring is a sensibility that I’m both a defense attorney and a prosecutor. Someone who has actually prosecuted police officers,” he said during a recent debate.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• affection
• emotion
• feeling
• insight
• sense
• sensitivity
• sentiment
• taste