reasonable

/ˈriːznəbl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈriːznəbl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈrē-zᵊn-ə-bəl ˈrēz-nə-bəl/ (ame, mw)

reasonable — adjective

  • reasonablepositive
  • more reasonablecomparative
  • most reasonablesuperlative

1. showing clear thinking and good judgment, so that decisions and actions come out

1.形容詞B1
釋義

showing clear thinking and good judgment, so that decisions and actions come out fair and practical

例句

The judge said the tenant's offer was reasonable under the circumstances.

predicative use after linking verb

It is not reasonable to expect children to sit still for three hours.

it is reasonable + to-infinitive for logical expectation

同義詞
  • sensible

    focuses more on practical wisdom and avoiding foolishness

  • rational

    emphasizes logical, systematic thinking; can sound emotionality dry

  • logical

    stresses step-by-step reasoning that follows from given facts

  • fair

    highlights the impartial, just outcome rather than the thought process

反義詞
  • unreasonable

    not based on good judgment; expecting too much or refusing to see sense

  • irrational

    not guided by logic or reason; driven by emotion or faulty thinking

文法句型

reasonable + noun (person, argument, decision, solution, offer)

it is reasonable + to-infinitive

verb + noun phrase + reasonable

用法筆記

Subject of the 'it is reasonable to' pattern is usually a general expectation or social rule, not a specific person's desire.

常見錯誤

❌He made a rational decision not to walk home alone at night.
✅He made a reasonable decision not to walk home alone at night.
💡'rational' sounds cold or purely logical for everyday safety; 'reasonable' fits practical human judgment better.
❌The manager was very reasonable with me.' (when meaning polite)
✅The manager was very reasonable with me.
💡this is correct. But ❌ 'Her request was very reasonable and she said please.' ✅ 'Her request was very reasonable; she explained why she needed the change.' — 'reasonable' is about fairness and good judgment, not about being polite.

2. fair and good enough for a particular situation, without being too much or too l

2.形容詞B1
釋義

fair and good enough for a particular situation, without being too much or too little

例句

The teacher said seventy percent was a reasonable result for the first test.

reasonable + result — describing adequacy

Noa offered a reasonable excuse for arriving late to the meeting.

同義詞
  • acceptable

    more direct; simply means good enough without extra nuance of moderation

  • fair

    emphasizes that the quantity, price, or arrangement is just and not one-sided

  • appropriate

    focuses on suitability for the specific context rather than moderate amount

反義詞
  • unacceptable

    not good enough for the situation; crossing a limit of what should be tolerated

  • excessive

    far beyond what is appropriate or fair

文法句型

reasonable + noun (excuse, time, request, amount, price)

seems / sounds / looks reasonable

perfectly + reasonable

用法筆記

This sense judges whether something is appropriate for the circumstances, not whether it is logically sound. Frequently used with 'perfectly' for emphasis.

常見錯誤

❌I asked for a reasonable discount of eighty percent.
✅I asked for a reasonable discount of ten percent.
💡eighty percent off is not appropriate or fair for most situations; 'reasonable' means suitable and moderate.
❌The soup was reasonable.' (when meaning the soup tasted okay)
✅The soup was acceptable.' or 'The soup was reasonable given the price.
💡'reasonable' alone about food quality is ambiguous; use 'acceptable' for bare adequacy unless you link it to price or situation.

3. costing an amount that feels fair and not too high for what you get

3.形容詞B1
釋義

costing an amount that feels fair and not too high for what you get

例句

The hotel offered a reasonable rate for a room with a sea view.

collocation: reasonable rate

Layla found a reasonable café where lunch costs under ten euros.

同義詞
  • affordable

    stresses that the buyer has enough money to pay; more about the buyer's budget

  • fair

    emphasizes that the price matches the value without overcharging

  • moderate

    slightly more formal; suggests the price is in the middle range, neither cheap nor expensive

反義詞

文法句型

reasonable + noun (price, rate, cost, fee, rent)

seems / sounds / is reasonable

reasonable for + noun phrase

用法筆記

Describes the cost relative to the value received, not the absolute price. A fifty-dollar meal can be reasonable at a fine restaurant but unreasonable at a fast-food counter.

常見錯誤

❌I want a cheap car that will last ten years.
✅I want a car at a reasonable price that will last ten years.
💡'cheap' can suggest poor quality; 'reasonable' focuses on fair value for the quality.