Definition

1. Noun:
   • Sound practical judgment: The ability to make sensible, reasonable decisions based on experience and an understanding of everyday situations. It refers to practical wisdom and prudence.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • He had the good sense to invest his money wisely. (He showed sound judgment by investing his money wisely.)
  • Fortunately, she had the good sense to call for help. (Luckily, she made the prudent decision to call for help.)
  • Common sense is not so common. (Sound practical judgment is surprisingly rare.)

Advanced Usage

• "To have the good sense to do something": To be wise or prudent enough to take a specific, sensible action.
  • He had the good sense to apologize immediately. (He was wise enough to apologize right away.)

Variants and Related Words

• Common sense (n): Sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts. Often used interchangeably with "good sense," though "common sense" can imply a more universally shared, basic level of practical intelligence.
  • It's just common sense to look both ways before crossing the street.
• Sense (n): The general faculty of perception, judgment, or reason. "Good sense" is a specific, positive application of this faculty.
  • She has a good sense of direction. (This is a different, idiomatic use of "sense" meaning an intuitive feeling or ability.)

Synonyms

• Prudence: The quality of being cautious and having good judgment, especially in practical matters.
• Wisdom: The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment.
• Discernment: The ability to judge well.

Related Phrases

• A grain of sense: A very small amount of good judgment (often used in negative constructions).
  • He doesn't have a grain of sense. (He lacks even a small amount of good judgment.)

Related Idioms

• To see sense / To come to one's senses: To start thinking or behaving reasonably after a period of foolishness.
  • I hope he comes to his senses and accepts the offer.
• To knock some sense into someone: To try to make someone think or behave more sensibly, sometimes through forceful argument.
  • Someone needs to knock some sense into him before he makes a huge mistake.

Noun

1. sound practical judgment
   • Common sense is not so common
   • he hasn't got the sense God gave little green apples
   • fortunately she had the good sense to run away