November 19, 2014 – Word of the Day

sense

A sense is a physical or mental feeling. It can also be an emotional or instinctive response to something in the environment.

• I get a sense she’s mad at me.
• He has a good sense of judgement.
• She has a low sense of self-worth.
• What’s your sense regarding this matter?
• The dog can sense that the man is nervous.
• We have five senses: the sense of sight, the sense of smell, the sense of touch, the sense of taste, and the sense of sound.
• The alarm system gave the family a sense of security.
• The padlock on the door gave the business owners a false sense of security because the lock was easily broken.
• He has a good sense of rhythm.

In the next set of examples, the word "sense" is a verb:

• I can sense that you’re angry. What’s wrong?
• Animals sense a change in the weather.
• The geese flew south when they sensed the weather was getting colder.
• Sensing danger, the family moved from their home to an area that was safe. (This is an example of a participial phrase)

A very common expression in American English is, "That makes no sense." It’s used for any situation when reason and good judgement are absent. You can also say, "It makes no sense," or "This makes no sense."

• She says she can’t come to work today because she can’t find a ride. That makes no sense. Her family owns three cars. (Or you can say, "That doesn’t make sense.")
• This homework assignment makes no sense.
• This doesn’t make sense.
• It makes no sense to drive back and forth so many miles every day.
• It doesn’t make sense.
• This makes absolutely no sense to me.

Note: Words related to "sense" are "sensible" and "sensation."

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