# sane

/ˈseɪn/ (US) · /sˈeɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sane
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. mentally healthy

adjective · CEFR B2

having a healthy mind and being able to think in a normal, balanced way.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. sensible or reasonable

adjective · CEFR B2

showing good judgment; being sensible and practical.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- He seems like a very sane and balanced person.
- After a week of constant chaos at work, she needed a quiet weekend to stay sane.
- In a world that often feels increasingly irrational, maintaining a sane perspective on global events requires a disciplined approach to information consumption and emotional regulation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.