noun
sensibility
sen-suh-BIL-uh-tee/ˌsensəˈbɪləti/
A characteristic way of perceiving, judging, and responding to experiences.
The viewer's refined sensibility responds to the painting's subtle colors and composition.
Etymology
From a base meaning having feeling or being perceptible, sensibility first covered physical perception. It later came to emphasize emotional awareness, especially a capacity for refined feelings.
In context
she was of that inferior order of beings with regard to delicate feeling tender sentiments and refined sensibility of which Augusta was one
More examples
- The director brings a dark sensibility to this familiar story.
- Their different political sensibilities make for lively dinner conversations.
- His practical sensibility favors simple solutions over elaborate plans.
Forms
sensibility · sensibilities
Similar words
- outlook
- Emphasizes general attitudes toward life rather than distinctive emotional responses.
- taste
- Focuses on preferences rather than an overall way of responding.
- perspective
- Emphasizes a viewpoint rather than a characteristic pattern of feeling.