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

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

Now perceiving Miss Brodie as a malign influence, this disillusioned young woman reflects on her onetime role model: “She thinks she is Providence . . . she sees the beginning and the end.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Thomas Jefferson’s addition of the east and west colonnades “faced immediate criticism for their cost and perceived extravagance,” he writes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"It is the desired thing. It's the dream career. Society perceive it as something that is an easy occupation," she said.

Read more on BBC

But its perceived independence is as likely to shield presidents and their administrations from political accountability.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Core Scientific shareholders are also chafing at what they perceive to be a missed rally in the stock.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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