Words / B2

sen-SAYSHUN/senˈseɪʃn/

A sensation is a physical feeling, or great public excitement: a burning sensation; a media sensation. Feeling is everyday; scandal is damaging fame. A burning sensation featured in first aid. Mix-up: sensational means exaggerated and shocking; census is a population count. Do not write “a sensation” for a mild preference.

Meaning

A physical feeling; also great public excitement, or a person who causes it.

Examples

• “A burning sensation featured in the first-aid scenario, not a rumour.”
• “The leak became a media sensation, which is the public-excitement sense.”

Good to know

a sensation of + feeling; a media sensation. Everyday: feeling. Trap: sensational / census. Biology and news. Feeling or public stir.

Near in meaning

feeling

New