# sensibilities

/ˌsɛnsɪˈbɪɫɪtiz/ (US) · /sˌɛnsəbˈɪlɪtiz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sensibilities
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. moral or aesthetic feelings

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

your ability to feel emotions or judge what is right, beautiful, or polite.

For teachers: the quality of being able to appreciate and respond to complex emotional or aesthetic influences.

- The graphic scenes in the movie were too much for his delicate sensibilities.
- The architect's design was intended to appeal to the modern sensibilities of urban dwellers who value both minimalism and sustainability.

Usage: Almost always used in the plural form.

### 2. artistic style

noun · CEFR C2 · Academic · Formal

the specific style or way of thinking that an artist or a group of people has.

For teachers: a particular complex of attitudes, beliefs, or tastes that characterize a person or a cultural movement.

- The play reflects the dark sensibilities of the late nineteenth century.
- Her poetry is marked by avant-garde sensibilities that challenge traditional notions of rhythm and rhyme.

Usage: Commonly used in academic criticism to describe the 'spirit' of an era or artist.

## Examples

- The movie's violence shocked the sensibilities of the local audience.
- A successful diplomat must respect the cultural sensibilities of the host country to avoid causing accidental offense.
- The architect's minimalist design was intended to appeal to modern sensibilities, though it was initially rejected by traditionalists who preferred more ornate structures.

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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.