English vocabulary · C1
Sentient
/ˈsɛnʃiənt/ · adj.
Something sentient can feel, sense, and react to the world around it. It seems almost alive, noticing even the smallest change nearby.
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Example sentences
- The robot acted sentient, dodging the wall smoothly.
- Some believe dolphins are truly sentient.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- sent — feel (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- AWARE — knowing what's happening (Knowing What Is Happening)
- CONSCIOUS — awake and aware (Awake and Present in Mind)
- FEELING — having emotions or senses (Having Emotions or Senses)
Words with the same root
sent — feel
- sense — to feel or notice something
- sentiment — a feeling or opinion
- resent — to feel angry about something
Lesson notes
Something sentient can feel, sense, and react to the world around it. It seems almost alive, noticing even the smallest change nearby.
Related: aware, conscious, feeling. Use sentient when something reacts as if it can feel.
The robot acted sentient, dodging the wall smoothly. Some believe dolphins are truly sentient.
From Latin. Sent- means feel. A world that can feel and sense everything around it, that is sentient.