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adj C1 Advanced

perceptive

puh-SEHP-tihv

Perceptive (adj) means Quick to notice or understand things; showing sharp insight. Example: “That was a perceptive comment about the character's motives.”

adj
1
Quick to notice or understand things; showing sharp insight.
"That was a perceptive comment about the character's motives."
"She's remarkably perceptive when it comes to reading people."

How to Use Perceptive

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGood at noticing details or understanding things that aren't obvious to everyone.

Common pairings
perceptive observation perceptive reader highly perceptive

Word Forms

more perceptive comparative, perceptives plural, most perceptive superlative

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That was a _____ comment about the character's motives.

Etymology

From Latin perceptivus, related to percipere, "to perceive".

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for perceptive

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “perceptive” mean?

The word “perceptive” means quick to notice or understand things; showing sharp insight. In plain terms, good at noticing details or understanding things that aren't obvious to everyone.

How do you pronounce “perceptive”?

“Perceptive” is pronounced puh-SEHP-tihv (/pɚˈsɛptɪv/ in IPA).

How do you use “perceptive” in a sentence?

Here is “perceptive” used in a sentence: “That was a perceptive comment about the character's motives.”

What part of speech is “perceptive”?

“Perceptive” is an adjective.

Where does the word “perceptive” come from?

The word “perceptive” comes from Latin. From Latin perceptivus, related to percipere, "to perceive".

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