perceptual

American  

[per-sep-choo-uhl] / pərˈsɛp tʃu əl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or involving perception.

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perceptual British  

/ pəˈsɛptjʊəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to perception

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Other Word Forms

• interperceptual
  adjective
• nonperceptual
  adjective
• unperceptual
  adjective
• interperceptually
  adverb
• perceptually
  adverb
• unperceptually
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of perceptual

1875–80; percept + -ual, on the model of concept, conceptual

Explanation

Something that you experience through your senses is perceptual. You'll have perceptual problems in school if you accidentally wear your sunglasses instead of your reading glasses. The adjective perceptual is all about perceiving, or sensing things. It's your perceptual ability that allows you to make sense of the world around you by seeing and hearing. In science, the various sensory systems (such as visual and auditory abilities) are known as perceptual systems. The Latin root is percipere, which means "gather or seize" and also "grasp with the mind."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

perceptual

The researchers trained participants in the studies by drawing their attention to six perceptual qualities:

From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026

For decades, the dominant account of L.A. art centered on Ed Ruscha’s deadpan photographs, David Hockney’s shimmering pools and the perceptual experiments of the Light and Space artists.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 21, 2026

In the 19th century, mathematician Bernhard Riemann proposed that perceptual spaces could be curved rather than flat.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 23, 2026

Afterward, they completed standardized intelligence tests measuring verbal and nonverbal ability as well as perceptual reasoning.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 29, 2025

Eye movement research is based on the idea that the human eye is capable of focusing on only a very small area at one time — what is called a perceptual span.

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell