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

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

“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 • Aug. 20, 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