How to pronounce sensible
Say it like SEN-suh-bul. Sensible has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sensible. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SEN
- suh
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sensible pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- bulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of sensible
American and British speakers say sensible in essentially the same way: /ˈsɛnsəbəl/ in the US and /ˈsɛnsɪbəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: SEN-sih-bul.
What does sensible mean?
- showing reason or sound judgment“a sensible choice”“a sensible person”
- able to feel or perceive“even amoeba are sensible creatures”“the more sensible parts of the skin”
- readily perceived by the senses“the sensible universe”“a sensible odor”
Where does sensible come from?
From Latin sēnsibilis (“perceptible by the senses, having feeling, sensible”), from sentiō (“to feel, perceive”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with sensible
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of sensible.
Questions about saying sensible
How do you pronounce sensible?
Say SEN-suh-bul. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɛnsəbəl/. In British English it is /ˈsɛnsɪbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sensible?
Sensible has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEN). Broken into parts: SEN · suh · bul.
Do Americans and Brits say sensible the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsɛnsəbəl/ and the British form is /ˈsɛnsɪbəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.