WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
in•sen•si•ble /ɪnˈsɛnsəbəl/USA pronunciation
adj. [not: be + ~]
in•sen•si•bly, adv. See -sens-.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- incapable of feeling; unconscious:rendered insensible before the operation.
- without a particular feeling or sensation:insensible to shame.
- unaware;
not appreciative:The family was not insensible of your kindness.
in•sen•si•bly, adv. See -sens-.
- In many cases, pairs of words with the same root and the prefix[in-]in one of them are opposite in meaning. However, the words sensible and insensible are not opposites for all the meanings of the root, -sens-. Thus, one of the meanings of sensible is "showing good sense or judgment; wise; not foolish.'' But insensible cannot be used for the opposite of that meaning.
in•sen•si•ble
(in sen′sə bəl),USA pronunciation adj.
in•sen′si•bly, adv.
in•sen′si•bil′i•ty, n.
- incapable of feeling or perceiving;
deprived of sensation;
unconscious, as a person after a violent blow. - without or not subject to a particular feeling or sensation:insensible to shame; insensible to the cold.
- unaware;
unconscious;
inappreciative:We are not insensible of your kindness. - not perceptible by the senses;
imperceptible:insensible transitions. - unresponsive in feeling.
- not susceptible of emotion or passion;
void of any feeling. - not endowed with feeling or sensation, as matter;
inanimate.
- Latin insēnsibilis. See in-3, sensible
- Middle English 1350–1400
in•sen′si•bil′i•ty, n.
- 5. 6. apathetic, unfeeling, indifferent, cool; dull, passionless, emotionless, torpid.
'insensibility' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
analgesia
- anesthesia
- anesthetic
- apathy
- hard
- indifference
- numbing
- preanesthetic
- stupor