perspective
p-SPEHK-tihv
Perspective (noun) means a particular way of viewing or thinking about a situation. Example: “From her perspective, the whole plan seemed reckless.”
noun
1
A particular way of viewing or thinking about a situation.
"From her perspective, the whole plan seemed reckless."
"Travel gave him a new perspective on his own culture."
"It helps to hear the perspective of someone who has lived through the same problem."
2
An art technique for making objects appear three-dimensional and properly proportioned on a flat surface.
"The young artist is still learning how to draw buildings in perspective."
"The drawing looked flat until she used perspective to make the road shrink into the distance."
"Lines that meet at a single point are the key to perspective in painting."
How to use perspective
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA point of view, or the artistic technique for showing depth in a drawing.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
gain perspective
from her perspective
in perspective
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like perspective.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- perspectives
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
From her _____, the whole plan seemed reckless.
Etymology
From Latin perspectivus, "of sight," from perspicere ("to look through"), from per- ("through") + specere ("to look at").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for perspective
See all rhymes for perspective →Frequently asked questions
What does “perspective” mean?
The word “perspective” means a particular way of viewing or thinking about a situation. In plain terms, a point of view, or the artistic technique for showing depth in a drawing.
How do you pronounce “perspective”?
“Perspective” is pronounced p-SPEHK-tihv (/pɚˈspɛk.tɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “perspective” in a sentence?
Here is “perspective” used in a sentence: “From her perspective, the whole plan seemed reckless.”
What part of speech is “perspective”?
“Perspective” is a noun.
Where does the word “perspective” come from?
The word “perspective” comes from Latin. From Latin perspectivus, "of sight," from perspicere ("to look through"), from per- ("through") + specere ("to look at").
Is “perspective” a common word?
“Perspective” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “perspective” have?
“Perspective” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a particular way of viewing or thinking about a situation.
What is the difference between perspective and point of view?
The two overlap heavily and are often interchangeable. Perspective tends to suggest the whole mental framework shaped by your experience, position, or knowledge, while point of view is often narrower, the specific opinion or angle you hold on one matter. In everyday use, though, most speakers treat them as synonyms.
Can your perspective change?
Yes. A perspective is a way of seeing, not a fixed fact, so it naturally shifts as you gain new information, experience, or empathy. Travel, education, hardship, and honest conversation are all common triggers. Gaining perspective usually means stepping back to see a situation more fairly or clearly than before.
What are the different types of perspective?
Beyond the general sense of a viewpoint, the word has specialist meanings. In art and drawing, perspective is the technique for showing depth on a flat surface. In discussion you might hear historical, cultural, or personal perspective, each naming the background from which someone views events.
Why is perspective important?
Perspective shapes how we interpret and judge everything around us, so being aware of it helps us understand disagreements, question our assumptions, and consider other people's experiences. Seeing a problem from more than one perspective often reveals options and fairness that a single, fixed viewpoint would completely miss.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include perspective:
