sensory
SEN-suh-ree
/ˈsensəri/
Relating to physical sensation or the organs of touch, taste, sight, sound, and smell.
Refers broadly to the hardware and signals of physical perception prior to high-level cognitive evaluation.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin 'sensorius', from 'sentire' (to feel, perceive, or experience). This ancient root gave English a whole web of words, including 'sense', 'sentiment', and 'sentence' (originally a stated thought/feeling).
Word relationships
- sensorial: 'Sensorial' is a literary variant of sensory, rarely used in rigorous modern psychology.
- perceptual: 'Perceptual' involves interpretation by the brain, while 'sensory' refers to the raw physical collection of signals.
- motor: 'Motor' refers to outward muscle movement, the physiological inverse of sensory input.
- cognitive: 'Cognitive' relates to internal thought processes rather than raw incoming physical signals.
Commonly confused with
- sensual: 'Sensual' means gratifying the physical body or appetite, while 'sensory' relates neutral scientific biological sensing.
Word family
- sensation (noun): A physical feeling or perception resulting from something that happens to or comes into contact with the body.
- sensor (noun): A device or organ that detects or measures a physical property.
Collocations
- sensory input
- sensory perception
- sensory deprivation
- sensory memory
- sensory overload
Example sentences
- "The sensory cortex receives neural signals directly from peripheral nerve endings across the skin." Neuroscience
- "Sensory overload occurs when the environment supplies more stimuli than the nervous system can process." Psychology
Memory hook
SENSORY relates to SENSES—sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Sensory = Senses receiving signals.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'sensual' (appealing to physical/sexual pleasures) or 'sensible' (showing good judgment).
Fun facts
- Humans have far more than five sensory systems! We also have thermoreception (heat), nociception (pain), and equilibrium (balance).
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