Sensible vs Sensitive at a glance
- sensible
/ˈsensəbl/ · adjective
Showing good judgement and making practical, reasonable decisions.
- It would be sensible to book the tickets early.
- Wear sensible shoes, we'll be walking a lot.
- sensitive
/ˈsensətɪv/ · adjective
Easily upset or affected, or good at understanding other people's feelings.
- He's very sensitive about his weight, so don't joke about it.
- I have sensitive skin, so I use a gentle soap.
How to remember it
Sensible = good sense (smart choices). Sensitive = easily touched, physically or emotionally. In many languages the word that looks like "sensible" means sensitive, so be careful.
Good to know
Sensitive also means private or secret: sensitive information, a sensitive topic. Patterns: sensitive to something (sensitive to light), sensitive about something (sensitive about her age).
Common mistakes
Wrong: She's very sensible, she cries when she watches sad films.
Right: She's very sensitive, she cries when she watches sad films.
Wrong: It's sensitive to save some money every month.
Right: It's sensible to save some money every month.
Quick quiz
1.Taking a taxi home late at night was a decision.
2.My teeth are to cold drinks.
Pick the right word for each gap.