Word
sanity
Phoneticssan·i·ty, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsænəti/
UK/sˈænɪti/
Definitions
01mental health
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the state of having a healthy mind and being able to think normally.
n. the state of being mentally sound and healthy; often used in contexts regarding the preservation of one's mental stability under pressure.
“He took a long walk every evening to help maintain his sanity during the busy project.”
“The isolation of the research station began to test the crew's sanity as the winter months dragged on without any outside contact.”
Usage
Uncountable in this general sense.
Synonyms
02reasonable behaviour
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the quality of being sensible and making good decisions.
n. the quality of being reasonable, rational, or sensible in one's actions and judgements.
“After an hour of arguing, sanity finally returned to the meeting and they made a decision.”
“The judge's ruling was hailed as a return to sanity in a legal system that many felt had become increasingly unpredictable.”
Usage
Often used in the phrase 'a return to sanity'.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“What is the cause of all this hate, this unspooling of sanity?” “There is no one to question my sanity, my taste in music, or say: "That again?” Etymology
From Middle English sanite, sanyte, sanytee, from Middle French sanité, from Latin sānitās, from sānus (“healthy”) + -itās (“-ity”). By surface analysis, sane + -ity.
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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