perceive

1 of 2

verb

per·​ceive pər-ˈsēv 

perceived; perceiving; perceives

transitive verb

1

a

: to attain awareness or understanding of

b

: to regard as being such

was perceived as a loser

2

: to become aware of through the senses

especially : see, observe

perceivable

pər-ˈsē-və-bəl 

adjective

perceivably

pər-ˈsē-və-blē 

adverb

perceiver noun

perceivable

2 of 2

adjective

per·​ceiv·​able pə(r)ˈsēvəbəl 

: perceptible, intelligible

perceivably

-blē 

-bli

adverb

Synonyms of perceive

Verb

• feel
• sense
• see
• notice
• smell
• hear

Examples of perceive in a Sentence

Verb

We perceive by means of the kaleidoscopic mirror of this life. This means that our ability to perceive is at once tyrannized by our expectations, and at war with them. —James Baldwin, The Evidence of Things Not Seen, 1985

Standing in the hallway just out of sight during this interview was Sarah. She held her baby on her hip and she listened. She perceived as no one in the family could the enormity of the misfortune. —E. L. Doctorow, Ragtime, 1974

… and when they perceived her to be little struck with the duet they were so good as to play, they could do no more than make her a generous present of some of their least valued toys, and leave her to herself, while they adjourned to whatever might be the favourite holiday sport of the moment, making artificial flowers or wasting gold paper. —Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814

I thought I perceived a problem, but I wasn't sure.

perceived that it was going to be a nice day

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

His emergence as the frontrunner to oust Starmer rattled bond markets earlier this year, with investors perceiving Burnham as much more left-leaning than his predecessor. — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026

Ludwig hopes that Crowley, if elected, perceives the discontent about his party. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

However, Flávio is perceived as a more moderate and conciliatory Bolsonaro. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

Alexander said questions about how Black hair is perceived have followed her into adulthood. — Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French perceivre, from Latin percipere, from per- thoroughly + capere to take — more at heave entry 1

Adjective

Middle English perceyvable, from perceyven, perceiven to perceive + -able

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for perceive

• achieve
• believe
• conceive
• deceive
• naive
• receive
• relieve
• reprieve
• retrieve
• breve
• cleave
• cleeve

Kids Definition

perceive

verb

per·​ceive pər-ˈsēv 

perceived; perceiving

1

: understand sense 1a, comprehend

2

: to become aware of through the senses and especially through sight

perceiver noun

Medical Definition

perceive

transitive verb

per·​ceive pər-ˈsēv 

perceived; perceiving

: to become aware of through the senses

perceivable

-ˈsē-və-bəl 

adjective

perceivably

-blē 

adverb

perceiver noun