perceive

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/pərˈsiːv/
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To become aware of something through the senses or the mind.

Examples

  • She perceived a faint scent of jasmine drifting through the garden.
  • I perceived the distant rumble of thunder before the storm arrived.
  • They perceived the bitter taste of the medicine as soon as it touched their tongues.
  • You perceived the story as a cautionary tale about greed.
  • They perceived the policy change as a step forward for the community.

Similar words

sense
discern
notice
regard
observe
recognize
view
consider
judge
detect

Meanings

Become aware through the senses

verb
physical
neutral
To notice or become conscious of something by using sight, hearing, touch, smell, or taste.

Examples

  • She perceived a faint scent of jasmine drifting through the garden.
  • The child perceived the bright colors of the fireworks in the night sky.
  • He perceived the rough texture of the bark when he ran his fingers over it.
  • I perceived the distant rumble of thunder before the storm arrived.
  • They perceived the bitter taste of the medicine as soon as it touched their tongues.
  • We perceived the soft whisper of the wind rustling the leaves.
  • You perceived the sharp flash of light that momentarily blinded you.

Similar words

Regard or consider as

verb
social
neutral
To think of someone or something in a particular way or to view them as a certain type.

Examples

  • The manager perceived the new employee as highly motivated.
  • She perceived the criticism as a personal attack.
  • He perceived the painting as a masterpiece of modern art.
  • I perceived the joke as offensive, so I stayed quiet.
  • They perceived the policy change as a step forward for the community.
  • You perceived the story as a cautionary tale about greed.
  • We perceived the candidate as lacking experience for the role.

Similar words

Etymology

From Middle English perceyven, borrowed from Old French perceivre, which derives from Latin percipere ‘to take hold of, to grasp’, itself formed from per- ‘through’ + capere ‘to take’.

FAQ

What does perceive mean?

It means to become aware of something through the senses or the mind.

How do you perceive something physically?

In the physical sense, it means to notice or become conscious of something by using sight, hearing, touch, smell, or taste.

How do you perceive someone socially?

In the social sense, it means to think of someone or something in a particular way or to view them as a certain type.

What are synonyms for perceive in the physical sense?

Synonyms for the physical sense include notice, detect, observe, sense, discern, and recognize.

What are synonyms for perceive in the social sense?

Synonyms for the social sense include view, consider, regard, deem, think of, and judge.

What is the origin of perceive?

It comes from Middle English perceyven, borrowed from Old French perceivre, which derives from Latin percipere ‘to take hold of, to grasp’, formed from per- ‘through’ + capere ‘to take’.

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