perspective

[ per-spek-tiv ]

/ pərˈspɛk tɪv /

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See synonyms for: perspective / perspectives on Thesaurus.com

noun

a technique of depicting volumes and spatial relationships on a flat surface.Compare aerial perspective, linear perspective.

a picture employing this technique, especially one in which it is prominent: an architect's perspective of a house.

a visible scene, especially one extending to a distance; vista: a perspective on the main axis of an estate.

the state of existing in space before the eye: The elevations look all right, but the building's composition is a failure in perspective.

the state of one's ideas, the facts known to one, etc., in having a meaningful interrelationship: You have to live here a few years to see local conditions in perspective.

the faculty of seeing all the relevant data in a meaningful relationship: Your data is admirably detailed but it lacks perspective.

a mental view or prospect: the dismal perspective of terminally ill patients.

adjective

of or relating to the art of perspective, or represented according to its laws.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of perspective

1350–1400; Middle English <Medieval Latin perspectīva (ars) optical (science), perspectīvum optical glass, noun uses of feminine and neuter of perspectīvus optical, equivalent to Latin perspect-, past participle stem of perspicere to look at closely (see per-, inspect) + -īvus-ive

OTHER WORDS FROM perspective

per·spec·tiv·al, adjectiveper·spec·tived, adjectiveper·spec·tive·less, adjectiveper·spec·tive·ly, adverb

non·per·spec·tive, noun, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH perspective

perspective , prospective

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

How to use perspective in a sentence

Obviously, I’m guided by what entrepreneurs want from perspective, so I’m always training the models in response to what they need.
Why is GoCardless COO Carlos Gonzalez-Cadenas pivoting to become a full-time VC?|Steve O'Hear|November 20, 2020|TechCrunch
From my perspective, they’re doing something good because they let us work.
The Stolen Childhood of Teenage Factory Workers|by Melissa Sanchez|November 20, 2020|ProPublica
The misalignments revealed the curvature of spacetime—a global geometry that couldn’t be transformed away by a mere change in perspective.
When Einstein Tilted at Windmills - Issue 93: Forerunners|Amanda Gefter|November 18, 2020|Nautilus
It shifts our perspective from that of rule follower to that of rule enforcer.
Some Math Problems Seem Impossible. That Can Be a Good Thing.|Patrick Honner|November 18, 2020|Quanta Magazine

In some cases, they’re finding that Wigner’s group theory perspective on particles can be extended to describe interactions as well, without any of the usual rigmarole of quantum fields.
What Is a Particle?|Natalie Wolchover|November 12, 2020|Quanta Magazine
You can only imagine the perspectival shifting that occurred.
My Strange Passage From Suspected School Shooter to Prom Queen|Gina Tron|January 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for perspective

perspective

/ (pəˈspɛktɪv) /

noun

a way of regarding situations, facts, etc, and judging their relative importance

the proper or accurate point of view or the ability to see it; objectivitytry to get some perspective on your troubles

the theory or art of suggesting three dimensions on a two-dimensional surface, in order to recreate the appearance and spatial relationships that objects or a scene in recession present to the eye

the appearance of objects, buildings, etc, relative to each other, as determined by their distance from the viewer, or the effects of this distance on their appearance

a view over some distance in space or time; vista; prospect

a picture showing perspective

Derived forms of perspective

perspectively, adverb

Word Origin for perspective

C14: from Medieval Latin perspectīva ars the science of optics, from Latin perspicere to inspect carefully, from per- (intensive) + specere to behold

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

Cultural definitions for perspective

perspective

In drawing or painting, a way of portraying three dimensions on a flat, two-dimensional surface by suggesting depth or distance.

perspective

Origin of perspective

OTHER WORDS FROM perspective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH perspective

Words related to perspective

How to use perspective in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for perspective

Derived forms of perspective

Word Origin for perspective

Cultural definitions for perspective