senseless

English

Alternative forms

• senselesse (obsolete)

Etymology

From sense +‎ -less. Compare Saterland Frisian sinloos (“senseless, foolish”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈsɛnsləs/

• Audio (Southern England)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: sense‧less

Adjective

senseless (comparative more senseless, superlative most senseless)

1. Without feeling or desire to work; deprived of sensation.

   Synonyms: unconscious, insensible

   The blow to his head rendered him senseless, he didn't awaken until he was in the ambulance.

   • 1817 December, Percy Bysshe Shelley, “The Revolt of Islam. ”, in [Mary] Shelley, editor, The Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley. , volume I, London: Edward Moxon , published 1839, →OCLC, page 223:

     That hoary man had spent his livelong age
     In converse with the dead, who leave the stamp
     Of ever-burning thoughts on many a page,
     When they are gone into the senseless damp
     Of graves; […]

2. Lacking meaning or purpose; without common sense.

   Synonyms: pointless, meaningless

   What a senseless waste of money.

3. Without a discernible meaning or purpose, especially of a violent or evil act.

   The school shooting was a senseless act of violence.

4. Without consideration, awareness or sound judgement

   Synonyms: unreasonable, unwise, stupid

   He took senseless risks, not even aware of the danger he was in.

Related terms

• sense
• senseful
• senselessly
• senselessness

Translations

See also

• (deprived of sensation): ageusia, analgesia, anosmia, blind, deaf, hypoesthesia, numbness, paralysis

References

• “senseless”, in The Century Dictionary , New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
• “senseless”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.