What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sensible
Example
It's sensible to wear a helmet when riding a bike. [sensible: adjective]
Example
She made a sensible decision to save money for a rainy day. [sensible: adjective]
sound
Example
His advice was sound and helped me make the right decision. [sound: adjective]
Example
The foundation of the building is sound and stable. [sound: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sound is more commonly used than sensible in everyday language. Sound is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sensible is less common and refers to a narrower range of situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sensible and sound?
Both sensible and sound can be used in formal and informal contexts, but sound may be slightly more formal due to its wider range of usage.