perceive

[per-seev]

verb (used with object)

perceived, perceiving 

1. to become aware of, know, or identify by means of the senses.

   I perceived an object looming through the mist.

   Synonyms: distinguish, descry, observe, discover, note

2. to recognize, discern, envision, or understand: This is a nice idea but I perceive difficulties in putting it into practice.

   I perceive a note of sarcasm in your voice.

   This is a nice idea but I perceive difficulties in putting it into practice.

perceive

/ pəˈsiːv /

verb

1. to become aware of (something) through the senses, esp the sight; recognize or observe

2. (tr; may take a clause as object) to come to comprehend; grasp

Other Word Forms

• perceiver noun
• perceivingness noun
• nonperceiving adjective
• reperceive verb (used with object)
• self-perceiving adjective
• unperceiving adjective
• perceivability noun
• perceivably adverb
• perceivable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of perceive¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English perceiven, from unattested Anglo-French perceivre, for perçoivre, from Latin percipere “to lay hold of, grasp,” equivalent to per- per- + -cipere, combining form of capere “to take”

Word History and Origins

Origin of perceive¹

C13: from Old French perçoivre, from Latin percipere seize entirely, from _per- (thoroughly) + capere to grasp

Synonym Study

See notice.

Example Sentences

He said the department "should not be putting out anything that can be perceived by anybody as leaning one political way or another".

Read more on BBC

Some regional banks saw their share of the country’s deposits decrease during the 2023 crisis, as businesses fled to the safety of larger institutions perceived to be “too big to fail.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Whatever transactions he’s going to make have to be perceived as favorable to China.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Somehow, though, he has still managed to ensure that the Department of Justice isn’t leaving any stone unturned in its pursuit of his perceived political enemies.

Read more on Salon

American said last week it was seeing some pickup in its premium offerings, as part of an emphasis on luxury amenities to take advantage of a perceived consumer willingness to pay up for experiences.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• appreciate 
• comprehend 
• distinguish 
• feel 
• grasp 
• know 
• read 
• realize 
• recognize 
• see