preconceived
Americanadjective
verb
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
Explanation
When you already have an opinion about something before you've given it much thought, you can call that a preconceived idea. Many people have preconceived ideas about teenagers. It's almost always an idea or opinion that's described as preconceived. You might have preconceived ideas about what college will be like — in other words, you've formed a strong sense of what the experience will be before knowing much about it. Most preconceived ideas don't come from strong evidence, and many aren't true. The adjective is formed from pre, "before," and conceived, which here means "taken into the mind," from the Latin concipere, "to take in and hold."
Vocabulary lists containing preconceived
The Alchemist
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Listen, Slowly
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Prefixes: pre-
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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.
Preconceived notions govern responses unless you work to change them.
From Time Magazine Archive
Preconceived notions, habits of civilization, theory for future, imagination, all stand in the eye of your honesty.
From The Forest by White, Stewart Edward
Preconceived notions, especially when one is fairly brought up in their influence, are most difficult to shake off.
From Camp and Trail by White, Stewart Edward
Preconceived notions of Rosalind are as prevalent as preconceived notions of Hamlet.
From The Merry-Go-Round by Van Vechten, Carl
Preconceived opinions, foregone determinations, are all I have at this hour to stand by: there I plant my foot.”
From Jane Eyre by Townsend, F. H.
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.
