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perceptive

[ per-sep-tiv ]
/ pərˈsɛp tɪv /
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See synonyms for: perceptive / perceptively / perceptiveness / perceptivity on Thesaurus.com
adjective
having or showing keenness of insight, understanding, or intuition: a perceptive analysis of the problems involved.
having the power or faculty of perceiving.
of, relating to, or showing perception.
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Origin of perceptive

1650–60; <Latin percept(us) (see percept) + -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM perceptive

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH perceptive

perceptible, perceptive
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to perceptive

astute, discerning, discreet, incisive, insightful, intuitive, knowing, knowledgeable, observant, penetrating, wise, acute, awake, aware, brainy, conscious, gnostic, judicious, keen, penetrative

How to use perceptive in a sentence

  • The note-taking traveller is very apt to forget that the mere act of note-taking upsets his normal perceptivity.

    America To-day, Observations and Reflections|William Archer

  • These claim such perceptivity of the outer ear and such fineness of the channels that the tune is but a clack when it gets inside.

    Journeys to Bagdad|Charles S. Brooks

  • The opposite error will be committed if the respondent defines perceptivity to be a movement through or by means of the body.

    Aristotle|George Grote

British Dictionary definitions for perceptive

perceptive
/ (pəˈsɛptɪv) /
adjective
quick at perceiving; observant
perceptual
able to perceive

Derived forms of perceptive

perceptively, adverbperceptiveness or perceptivity, noun
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
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