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sensible ~ sensitive

[different end sound]

“Sensible” (adjective) means ‘(of a person) having a practical approach to situations and showing good judgement; suitable for a particular purpose, and not fashionable but practical; (formal) noticeable’,

e.g.

Our teacher has given us some very sensible suggestions on how to behave in public places.

Be sensible, dear!  You can’t go out without a raincoat on in this wet weather.

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“Sensitive” (adjective) means ‘(of people, animals and plants) reacting to very simple changes in something and feeling very bad about them; (of people or animals) having good thinking and understanding of other people’s feelings and problems; easily upset, offended or worried by things that happen around and/or by what people say or do; easily damaged by something; (of people or situations) needing to be handled carefully because they are secret or they may be disturbed easily’,

e.g.

Though she is young, she is highly sensitive to the problems of old people.

The girl’s father is looking for a smart and sensitive, though poor, young man for his daughter.

My wife is sensitive about her weight.   [i.e. she is worried about her weight and feels very bad if anybody talks about it]

Some patients are sensitive to certain drugs, particularly to penicillin.

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