Sense Meaning
Sense Definition & Usage
A faculty by which the body perceives external stimuli; one of the traditional five senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell).
Examples
- "The sense of smell is crucial for identifying foods."
- "He lost his sense of sight in the accident."
- "Her sense of hearing was so sharp that she could hear whispers from a distance."
- "Children develop their sense of touch earlier than their other senses."
- "In ancient times, people believed the sense of taste was connected to the soul."
A meaning or interpretation that is derived from something, often involving reason or logic.
Examples
- "I don't see the sense in this decision; it seems unreasonable."
- "She explained the sense of the poem to the students."
- "It doesn’t make sense to invest so much money in such a risky venture."
- "He has a strong sense of justice and always fights for what is right."
- "In a broader sense, her actions were motivated by a desire for equality."
The ability to perceive or make judgments about situations or people, often linked to common sense or practical intelligence.
Examples
- "She has a good sense of humor that lightens the mood."
- "His sense of timing is impeccable during meetings."
- "I trust your sense of judgment in this matter."
- "Despite the complexity of the problem, he showed a great sense of diplomacy."
- "She acted with a sense of urgency when the fire alarm went off."
To detect or recognize something through the senses, often used metaphorically to refer to understanding or intuition.
Examples
- "He sensed that something was wrong the moment he entered the room."
- "She could sense his discomfort in the conversation."
- "I sense that you are not telling the full truth."
- "He sensed the crowd’s excitement as the concert began."
- "I sensed a shift in the atmosphere after the announcement."
Cultural Context
The concept of 'sense' is deeply rooted in both biological perception and cultural norms, often linked to human experience. The word has expanded in meaning over time to include more abstract uses related to reasoning, judgment, and even emotion. The concept of the five senses has been integral in many cultures' understanding of the human body, while phrases like 'common sense' and 'a sense of humor' have come to represent cultural values.
The Senses of Life
Story
The Senses of Life
There was a small town where the residents valued their strong connection to the senses—both the physical ones and the deeper, intangible kinds. On a rainy afternoon, Emma sat by the window, staring at the streaks of water running down the glass. She had always relied on her sense of sight, appreciating the world through colors and movements, but today, something felt different. She closed her eyes, listening to the sound of the rain and the distant hum of conversation from below. Her sense of hearing had never been so sharp. She could sense a deeper, more profound feeling beneath the usual clamor. She thought about her conversation with Mark earlier that day. He had mentioned his concern about his latest business venture, but Emma had sensed something more—an unease in his tone, a hesitance in his words. His sense of judgment, usually so reliable, seemed clouded today. ‘It doesn’t make sense,’ he had said, but Emma knew there was something else. ‘Trust your sense of timing,’ she had advised him, drawing from her own experiences. Later, as the town gathered for a meeting about upcoming changes, Emma noticed her colleague, Ben, walking toward her. With his typical sense of humor, he greeted her, making a lighthearted comment about the weather. But behind the laughter, she could sense a subtle shift in his attitude. His actions—his hurried steps and distracted glances—suggested a deeper urgency. Emma’s sense of urgency also heightened as the topic of discussion shifted to potential layoffs. Her heart raced. She wasn’t just hearing the words; she was sensing the fear in the room, the unspoken worries that everyone tried to hide. By the end of the meeting, Emma’s mind was swirling. She had heard, seen, and felt so much, yet her true understanding came from a deeper place—her sense of the moment. She left the room with a quiet resolve, knowing that whatever the future held, she could trust in her senses—both the physical and the intuitive ones—to guide her through.
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