Sensible vs Sensitive
Sensible = practical, reasonable — 'sensible shoes', a sensible decision. Sensitive = easily affected or emotional — sensitive skin, a sensitive topic.
The one-line answer
Sensible = practical, reasonable — 'sensible shoes', a sensible decision. Sensitive = easily affected or emotional — sensitive skin, a sensitive topic.
sensible
adjectiveshowing good judgment; practical and reasonable
- It would be sensible to book early.
- Wear sensible shoes for the hike.
- That's the most sensible plan we've heard.
sensitive
adjectiveeasily hurt or affected; needing careful handling
- My skin is very sensitive to the sun.
- Money is a sensitive topic in their family.
- She's sensitive to criticism.
Memory trick
Sensible uses SENSE + judgment (sense = think). Sensitive uses SENSE + feelings (sense = feel). A sensible person thinks carefully; a sensitive person feels deeply.
Sensible vs Sensitive: Test yourself
Question 1 of 2It would be ___ to save some money first.