perspective

American  

[per-spek-tiv] / pərˈspɛk tɪv /

noun

1. a technique of depicting volumes and spatial relationships on a flat surface.

2. a picture employing this technique, especially one in which it is prominent.

   an architect's perspective of a house.

3. a visible scene, especially one extending to a distance; vista.

   a perspective on the main axis of an estate.

4. the state of existing in space before the eye.

   The elevations look all right, but the building's composition is a failure in perspective.

5. 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.

6. the faculty of seeing all the relevant data in a meaningful relationship.

   Your data is admirably detailed but it lacks perspective.

7. a mental view or prospect.

   the dismal perspective of terminally ill patients.

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adjective

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

perspective British  

/ pəˈspɛktɪv /

noun

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

2. the proper or accurate point of view or the ability to see it; objectivity

   try to get some perspective on your troubles

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. a picture showing perspective

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perspective Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

• nonperspective noun
• perspectival adjective
• perspectived adjective
• perspectiveless adjective
• perspectively adverb

Etymology

Origin of perspective

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin perspectīva (ars) “optical (science),” perspectīvum “optical glass,” noun uses of feminine and neuter of perspectīvus “optical,” equivalent to Latin perspect(us) “looked at closely,” past participle of perspicere “to look at closely” ( per-, inspect ) + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

An essay the filmmaker penned for the Norwegian magazine “D2” in 2012 has recently resurfaced, putting his new film into a stranger perspective.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

To place things in a longer perspective, let’s review how the stock market has reacted to great global events of the past.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

From my perspective as a former manager, I know supporters just want to see their teams win, and they will prioritise performances over infrastructure all day long.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

And there’s something playful about examining the birth of the U.S.—or the “United Provinces of America,” as our early ally Louis XVI put it—from an English perspective, even if Ms. Worsley avoids any pro-Brit bias.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

The portrait of Pacioli illustrates the way in which, once perspective had been discovered, mathematics and art went hand in hand.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• angle
• aspect
• attitude
• context
• mindset
• prospect
• viewpoint