reasonable

[ ree-zuh-nuh-buhl, reez-nuh- ]

adjective

1. agreeable to reason or sound judgment; logical:

   a reasonable choice for chairman.

   Synonyms: wise, judicious, intelligent, equitable

2. not exceeding the limit prescribed by reason; not excessive:

   reasonable terms.

   Synonyms: just, fair, equitable

3. moderate, especially in price; not expensive:

   The coat was reasonable but not cheap.

4. endowed with reason.
5. capable of rational behavior, decision, etc.

reasonable

/ ˈriːzənəbəl /

adjective

1. showing reason or sound judgment
2. having the ability to reason
3. having modest or moderate expectations; not making unfair demands
4. moderate in price; not expensive
5. fair; average

   reasonable weather

Derived Forms

• ˈreasonably, adverb
• ˈreasonableness, noun

Other Words From

• reason·a·ble·ness reason·a·bili·ty noun
• reason·a·bly adverb
• half-reason·a·ble adjective
• half-reason·a·bly adverb
• nonrea·son·a·bili·ty noun
• non·reason·a·ble adjective
• non·reason·a·ble·ness noun
• non·reason·a·bly adverb
• quasi-reason·a·ble adjective
• quasi-reason·a·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of reasonable¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English resonable, from Middle French raisonnable, from Latin ratiōnābilis. See reason, -able

Idioms and Phrases

see beyond a (reasonable) doubt .

Synonym Study

Reasonable, rational refer to the faculty of reasoning. Rational can refer to the reasoning faculty itself or to something derived from that faculty: rational powers; a rational analysis. It can also mean sane or sensible: She was no longer rational; a rational plan. Reasonable most often means sensible: A reasonable supposition is one which appeals to our common sense. See moderate.

Example Sentences

Lyons told The Nolan Show that "we need to tease out what it is exactly that is required and what is reasonable as well".

From BBC

“In short, up until September 17, it was fine for defense representatives to contact jurors directly, subject to ... requirements of reasonable time and place,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

There is a reasonable argument to be made that the 2024 election outcome boils down to fundamental differences regarding what we, as a nation, find to be funny and what we take to be indecent.

From Salon

And Scottish Tory finance spokesman Craig Hoy said his party had made "the very reasonable ask" of the Scottish government for minutes of the meetings held at the matches to be published.

From BBC

"These people underground are dying," Ms Omar said, adding that the ruling means officials "must do all that is reasonable to give medical care to the people who are underground".

From BBC

Related Words

• acceptable
• cheap
• equitable
• fair
• feasible
• honest
• humane
• impartial
• judicious
• justifiable
• legitimate
• modest
• objective
• plausible
• proper
• prudent
• rational
• restrained
• sane
• sensible