Sensical

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈsɛnsɪkl̩/

Definitions

1. Showing clear logic and being understandable in thought or expression
2. Exhibiting coherence and rationality that allows for comprehension
3. Demonstrating consistency and clarity that can be easily grasped

Etymology: "Sensical" is built from "sense" and the suffix "-ical," which turns a noun into an adjective meaning "relating to" or "having the character of" something, as in "logical" from "logic." Put together, the word means something like "having the quality of sense," and that is what it still means: a statement or plan that makes sense. The surprise is the route it likely took. Many people assume it was formed directly from "sense," but its later uses are probably a back-formation from "nonsensical." In that case, speakers saw "nonsensical" as the marked form, dropped the "non-" and "-ical," and reshaped the leftover into a positive word. "Sensical" thus may have arrived in English as the mirror image of a word built to describe its opposite.

Synonyms: logical, meaningful, rational

Antonyms: nonsensical, illogical