Sensible vs Sensitive: Practical Judgement or Strong Reaction?

Sensible and sensitive describe different qualities even though they look related. Sensible concerns good practical judgement; sensitive concerns responsiveness to feelings, criticism, physical conditions or small changes.

Sensible

It was sensible to save a copy. She gave me sensible advice. The idea is reasonable, practical and based on sound judgement.

Sensitive

He is sensitive to criticism. This skin is sensitive to sunlight. The sensor is sensitive to small temperature changes.

People can be both

A person may be sensible in decision-making and sensitive to other people’s feelings. The words are not opposites.

Professional contexts

sensitive information means information requiring careful handling. a sensible policy means a reasonable and practical policy.

Editing test

If you mean reasonable/practical, choose sensible. If you mean easily affected/aware of subtle changes, choose sensitive.

Quick practice

Choose: Backing up the files is a ___ precaution. / This material is ___ to heat. / She is very ___ to other people’s concerns.

Answers: sensible; sensitive; sensitive.

Takeaway

Use sensible for sound judgement and sensitive for strong responsiveness. Context, not spelling similarity, should guide you.