perceive
Americanverb (used with object)
-
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
-
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.
verb
-
to become aware of (something) through the senses, esp the sight; recognize or observe
-
(tr; may take a clause as object) to come to comprehend; grasp
Synonym Usage
See notice.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
perceivabilitynoun
-
perceivernoun
-
perceivingnessnoun
-
reperceiveverb (used with object)
-
nonperceivingadjective
-
perceivableadjective
-
self-perceivingadjective
-
unperceivingadjective
-
perceivablyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
perceivesimple
-
perceivessimple
-
have perceivedperfect
-
has perceivedperfect
-
am perceivingprogressive
-
are perceivingprogressive
-
is perceivingprogressive
-
have been perceivingperfect progressive
-
has been perceivingperfect progressive
Past
-
perceivedsimple
-
had perceivedperfect
-
was perceivingprogressive
-
were perceivingprogressive
-
had been perceivingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of perceive
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”
Explanation
When we perceive something, we become aware of or notice it. Sometimes we perceive things by using our senses of sight, hearing, and smell. Or we can use our mind to perceive things, which means that we are able to recognize or understand them. We can also perceive a person or thing as having certain qualities: Do you perceive yourself as a good student? The Latin root percipere means "to receive, understand," from the prefix per- "thoroughly" plus capere "to seize, take."
Vocabulary lists containing perceive
List 1
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Metamorphosis
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Academic Vocabulary: Core Tier 2 Words, List 9
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"From this far-flung corner of Europe on the Mediterranean Sea, one can more clearly perceive the momentous challenge that the phenomenon of migration poses to European societies," the Pope told Catholics on the island.
From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026
At Germany's Canyon, a racing bike equipped with cameras and radars promises to alert cyclists "to the presence of elements they do not necessarily perceive", company spokesman Ben Hilldson said.
From Barron's ● Jun. 28, 2026
“Firms perceive the business environment as less uncertain. German companies are hoping for geopolitical tensions to ease,” Ifo President Clemens Fuest said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026
Modern gadgets are damaging our ability to daydream, socialize and perceive the physical world.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026
The problem is that what some people regard as a positive or even essential change, others perceive as being a step backward.
From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler
The judge said Winehouse was "understandably sensitive about anyone who he perceives as exploiting Amy's memory... but also, in my judgement, he is equally sensitive about ensuring that the family continue to benefit financially."
From BBC ● Apr. 20, 2026
"China perceives Spain as relatively friendly, less confrontational toward China than other countries and likely more independent from Washington. This allows for more autonomous decision-making," he told AFP.
From Barron's ● Apr. 12, 2026
“The minute I make that phone call or anybody perceives that Authentic could control the newsroom, forget it, game over,” Dienst said, referencing Bhargava.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 5, 2026
Mr. Trump perceives himself as a deal maker.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 20, 2026
She loves that she thinks she’s in control of my involvement with Jeremy, and she’ll actually have it out with Lauren if she perceives interference.
From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali
The much-discussed altitude of Mexico's Azteca stadium for England's round of 16 match against the co-host nation was perceived to be a major hurdle for the squad to overcome.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
Prenups have historically been a taboo subject, perceived as a contract that protects family wealth from newcomers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
"In certain cases, these areas can function as perceived refuges," D'Souza explains.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 15, 2026
“Our processes may be perceived by some as slow, but they will certainly be deliberative.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026
At that moment Odysseus perceived Athena just beyond the door beckoning to him.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
The consultation is looking into how this would be determined, and is considering factors such as people living together, sharing finances and others perceiving them as a couple.
From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026
Consumers in the survey began perceiving stronger inflation ahead after the Iran war started, Hsu said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 13, 2026
But the more we do that, the more things there are for us to pay attention to and the more worries we have about how other people are perceiving us.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 13, 2026
"Pain is an extremely efficient means for perceiving damage to the body and to indicate the associated threat to its continued life. This often triggers a survival response, such as fleeing or freezing."
From Science Daily ● Dec. 15, 2025
Children’s knowledge of how to use a tool could be a result of their experience with the tool; alternatively, it could be a result of their perceiving the tool’s affordances from shape and manipulability cues.
From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
