Cool MateSenses vs Sensitivity
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Senses
Top 1,000 (very common)
Sensitivity
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
Most common: Senses
| Senses | Sensitivity | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈsɛn.sɪz//🇺🇸 //ˈsɛn.sɪz// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌsensəˈtɪvəti/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌsensəˈtɪvəti/"]/ |
| Meaning | The ability to see, hear, smell, taste, or feel. | The ability to understand and care about others' feelings. |
| Example | Humans have five main senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. | Her sensitivity to criticism made her an empathetic friend. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | sense of smell, sense of touch, sense of sight, sense of taste, sense of hearing | extreme, great, high, degree, have, develop, display, training, with sensitivity, sensitivity about, sensitivity in, a lack of sensitivity, extreme, great, high, degree, have, develop, display, training, with sensitivity, sensitivity about, sensitivity in, a lack of sensitivity, extreme, great, high, degree, have, develop, display, training, with sensitivity, sensitivity about, sensitivity in, a lack of sensitivity, extreme, great, high, degree, have, develop, display, training, with sensitivity, sensitivity about, sensitivity in, a lack of sensitivity, extreme, great, high, degree, have, develop, display, training, with sensitivity, sensitivity about, sensitivity in, a lack of sensitivity, extreme, great, high, degree, have, develop, display, training, with sensitivity, sensitivity about, sensitivity in, a lack of sensitivity |
| Antonyms | nonsense | insensitivity, indifference, apathy |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'sensation', which refers to the feeling produced by the senses., Omitting the plural form when referring to the five human senses., Using 'sense' instead of 'senses' when discussing sensory abilities collectively. | Confused with 'sensible' — they have different meanings., Used inappropriately in technical contexts, where it refers to devices rather than feelings., Overgeneralizing its application, using it in places where emotional context isn't relevant. |
| Usage notes | Used to describe physical abilities or feelings. Appropriate in both scientific and casual contexts, but avoid in poetic or metaphorical language. | Often used in contexts involving emotional intelligence or awareness. Suitable in both professional and personal conversations. Avoid in overly casual situations where it may seem too formal. |
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Frequently asked questions: Senses vs Sensitivity
What's the difference between Senses and Sensitivity?
Senses: The ability to see, hear, smell, taste, or feel. Sensitivity: The ability to understand and care about others' feelings.
Which is more common: Senses and Sensitivity?
Senses is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Senses: Humans have five main senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. Sensitivity: Her sensitivity to criticism made her an empathetic friend.
Can I use Senses and Sensitivity interchangeably?
Not always. Senses and Sensitivity are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.