perceive
puh-SEEV
Perceive (verb) means to become aware of something through the senses, such as sight, sound, or touch. Example: “She perceived a faint smell of smoke coming from the kitchen.”
verb
1
To become aware of something through the senses, such as sight, sound, or touch.
"She perceived a faint smell of smoke coming from the kitchen."
"It was too dark to perceive any movement in the room."
"Dogs can perceive sounds that humans cannot hear at all."
2
To understand or interpret something in a particular way.
"He was perceived as arrogant, even though he meant no harm."
"The public perceives the new policy as unfair to small businesses."
"Many customers perceive the brand as old-fashioned, whatever the company intends."
How to use perceive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo notice or become aware of something, or to form an opinion about how something seems.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "conceive" (to form an idea or become pregnant) — both come from the same Latin root but mean different things.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
perceive a threat
perceived as
widely perceived
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- perceives
- Past tense
- perceived
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ a faint smell of smoke coming from the kitchen.
Etymology
From Old French percevoir, from Latin percipere ("to grasp, seize"), built from per- ("thoroughly") and capere ("to take") — the same root that gives us "capture" and "receive".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
produce sensation
Related words
Rhymes for perceive
See all rhymes for perceive →Frequently asked questions
What does “perceive” mean?
The word “perceive” means to become aware of something through the senses, such as sight, sound, or touch. In plain terms, to notice or become aware of something, or to form an opinion about how something seems.
How do you pronounce “perceive”?
“Perceive” is pronounced puh-SEEV (/pɚˈsiv/ in IPA).
How do you use “perceive” in a sentence?
Here is “perceive” used in a sentence: “She perceived a faint smell of smoke coming from the kitchen.”
What is another word for “perceive”?
Words with a similar meaning to “perceive” include ken, discern, make out, percept, sensate and sense.
What is the opposite of “perceive”?
The opposite of “perceive” — its antonyms — is produce sensation.
What part of speech is “perceive”?
“Perceive” is a verb.
Where does the word “perceive” come from?
The word “perceive” comes from Latin. From Old French percevoir, from Latin percipere ("to grasp, seize"), built from per- ("thoroughly") and capere ("to take") — the same root that gives us "capture" and "receive".
Is “perceive” a common word?
“Perceive” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between perceive and observe?
Perceive covers becoming aware of something through any of the senses, such as sight, sound, or touch, and can also mean interpreting something in a particular way, while observe usually emphasizes watching something carefully, often visually. Perceive is broader and includes both sensory awareness and mental interpretation.
What is the difference between perceive and believe?
Perceive relates to becoming aware of or interpreting something, often grounded in sensory input or immediate understanding, while believe refers to accepting something as true, which may not involve direct sensory experience at all. You can perceive something incorrectly, just as you can believe something that turns out to be false, but the words describe different mental processes.
Can perceive mean more than just seeing something?
Yes, perceive covers awareness through any sense, including sound and touch, not just sight, and it also extends to understanding or interpreting something in a particular way. This makes it broader than words tied specifically to vision.
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