reasonable person
The term "reasonable person" is a legal standard used to evaluate whether an individual's actions were appropriate under certain circumstances, based on what an average person would do.
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Definition
C1Legal
(technical, legal)A hypothetical individual used as a standard to determine if someone's actions were appropriate, based on what an average person would do in the same situation.
Example
- The court will determine if the defendant acted as a reasonable person would have in that situation.
- In negligence cases, the actions of the defendant are compared to those of a reasonable person.
B2General
(common, informal)A person who is seen as having sound judgment and acts sensibly and fairly.
Example
- A reasonable person would not leave their car unlocked in a high-crime area.
- You can rely on her; she's a very reasonable person.