perceive
Americanverb (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.
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
Related Words
See notice.
Other Word Forms
- nonperceiving adjective
- perceivability noun
- perceivable adjective
- perceivably adverb
- perceiver noun
- perceivingness noun
- reperceive verb (used with object)
- self-perceiving adjective
- unperceiving adjective
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”
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.
Chinese consumers are shifting spending towards curated selection, private labels, and perceived value, rather than just brand prestige.
From Barron's
This is an interesting set of numbers for investors willing to take a value dive, even in an industry perceived still to be in decline, because so much cash is being generated.
From MarketWatch
“The markets perceived very clearly that there would be a reaction from the EU,” Bercero says.
From Barron's
“The markets perceived very clearly that there would be a reaction from the EU,” Bercero says.
From Barron's
How he handles the rest of the crisis will have a big impact on how many in Washington perceive the professorial CEO moving forward.
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.
