conceptual
Americanadjective
adjective
-
relating to or concerned with concepts; abstract
-
concerned with the definitions or relations of the concepts of some field of enquiry rather than with the facts
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of conceptual
First recorded in 1655–65; Medieval Latin conceptuālis; see conceptus, -al 1
Explanation
Something is conceptual when it deals primarily with abstract or original thoughts. A conceptual plan is one in an early stage. To make it work, you'll need to flesh out the details. Conceptual art is art in which the concept seems more important than the physical aspects of the artwork. In New York's Museum of Modern Art, you can see Marcel DuChamp's conceptual piece, "Bicycle Wheel," which is a bicycle wheel mounted on a stool. Why is this art? The concept, or idea, behind it is that everyday objects become art when looked at outside of their uses. In general, when something is conceptual it takes a bit of thought to figure it out.
Vocabulary lists containing conceptual
On a Pedestal: Marble-ous Words for Sculpture
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Awkward
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"Building Design and Construction Handbook," Vocabulary from Section 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The Mountain” truly feels like an album thanks to its conceptual nature.
From Salon • Jun. 5, 2026
The additional billboard phrases echo those coined during Ono and Lennon’s creation of the conceptual country of “Nutopia,” which championed peace, love and unity.
From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026
When she came to “Rooster,” she said, Cristle was a conceptual kernel she teased into a labyrinth.
From Salon • May 11, 2026
The planned manufacturing hub is largely conceptual at this stage, and details, including which American companies will participate and just what they will build in the Philippines, are yet to be determined.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026
Almost entirely by themselves for thousands of years, these two centers of civilization were so different that researchers today have difficulty finding a conceptual vocabulary that applies to both.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
