preconceived

American  

[pree-kuhn-seevd] / ˌpri kənˈsivd /

adjective

1. (of an idea, opinion, etc.) formed beforehand, as before seeing evidence or as a result of a previously held prejudice.

   By challenging preconceived ideas about how things should be done, an outsider to the business can often identify helpful new strategies.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of preconceive.

Etymology

Origin of preconceived

First recorded in 1575–85; preconceive ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective; preconceive ( def. ) + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb

Example Sentences

Couple that with the group’s uncompromising punk rock attitude about their structure and message, and it’s easy to see why Irreversible Entanglements might not fit cleanly into everyone’s preconceived notions about “jazz.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

Generally, he did not prepare before starting a project, wanting to go in without preconceived ideas and using the shoot as his research.

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

Unlike the deliberate, premeditated approach of human engineers, the natural process for generating life has no preconceived plan.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

“I wanted people who would look at data without preconceived notions,” he said.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 15, 2025

Largely because of Disney and posed “natural” wildlife films and television programs I had preconceived ideas about wolves, about what wolves should be and do.

From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen

Related Words

• bigoted
• discriminatory
• dogmatic
• intolerant
• intransigent
• one-sided
• opinionated
• racist
• sexist
• xenophobic