Word
sane
US/ˈseɪn/
UK/sˈeɪn/
Definitions
01mentally healthy
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. having a healthy mind and being able to think in a normal, balanced way.
adj. possessing a sound and rational mind; mentally healthy and capable of anticipating the consequences of one's actions.
“In the middle of all the chaos, she was the only one who stayed sane.”
“The psychiatrist testified that the defendant was perfectly sane at the time the crime was committed, understanding the full gravity of his actions.”
Usage
Often used in the phrase 'keep someone sane' to describe maintaining mental balance during stress.
02sensible or reasonable
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. showing good judgment; being sensible and practical.
adj. characterised by sound judgment, reason, or good sense; often used to describe policies, decisions, or environments.
“It seems like a sane decision to save some money for emergencies.”
“The new management introduced a sane working hours policy, which significantly reduced staff burnout and improved overall productivity.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“How did he stay sane all that time?” Etymology
Learned borrowing from Latin sānus (“healthy; sane”). Doublet of sound.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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