Synonyms

perceive

American

[per-seev] / pərˈsiv /

verb (used with object)

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
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 British

/ pəˈsiːv /

verb

to become aware of (something) through the senses, esp the sight; recognize or observe
(tr; may take a clause as object) to come to comprehend; grasp

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Synonym Usage

See notice.

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Inflected Forms

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Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

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Etymology

Origin of perceive

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”

Explanation

When we perceive something, we become aware of or notice it. Sometimes we perceive things by using our senses of sight, hearing, and smell. Or we can use our mind to perceive things, which means that we are able to recognize or understand them. We can also perceive a person or thing as having certain qualities: Do you perceive yourself as a good student? The Latin root percipere means "to receive, understand," from the prefix per- "thoroughly" plus capere "to seize, take."

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Vocabulary lists containing perceive

List 1

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Metamorphosis

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Academic Vocabulary: Core Tier 2 Words, List 9

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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 traffic on Whittier Blvd. is unable to expect, detect, see, perceive, react and avoid hitting pedestrians walking in the crosswalk at Orme Ave.,” the complaint said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2026

At Germany's Canyon, a racing bike equipped with cameras and radars promises to alert cyclists "to the presence of elements they do not necessarily perceive", company spokesman Ben Hilldson said.

From Barron's • Jun. 28, 2026

It was the second successive Slam where players protested at what they perceive as a lack of action following a similar move at last month's French Open.

From BBC • Jun. 27, 2026

This concern doesn’t always resonate with voters who perceive an immediate benefit in a higher hourly rate for low-income workers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 24, 2026

We could not perceive the significance of this tableau.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023