preconceived

[pree-kuhn-seevd]

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.

verb

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of preconceived¹

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

Example Sentences

Neither Raymond nor I came in with any preconceived ideas whatsoever.

From Los Angeles Times

Tillman: I really just allow the page to inform me, you know, try not to have any preconceived notions of where you think it’s going to go and just lean into the circumstances.

From Los Angeles Times

That theme eventually smooths the unjust twists in a case propelled by preconceived notions and a hunger for villainy that boosts ratings and magazine circulations.

From Salon

“There will be a lot of strong preconceived opinions going into this, so I’m really curious and hoping that people can be open to reconsidering their thoughts on it through watching it,” Van Patten says.

From Los Angeles Times

"In particular, some lack experience studying new technologies such as mRNA vaccines, and may even have a preconceived bias against them."

From BBC

Related Words

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