per·cep·tive
pər-ˈsep-tiv 
1
: responsive to sensory stimuli : discerning
a perceptive eye
2
a
: capable of or exhibiting keen perception : observant
a perceptive scholar
b
: characterized by sympathetic understanding or insight
per·cep·tiv·i·ty
pə(r)ˌsepˈtivətē
ˌpərˌs-,
ˌpə̄ˌs-,
ˌpəiˌs-,
-vətē,
-i
plural -es
Examples of perceptive in a Sentence
Adjective
He is a very perceptive young man.
due to their ability to rotate their ears, cats are very perceptive when it comes to pinpointing the source of a sound
Recent Examples on the Web
Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2026
In an interview early last year, rising Atlanta rapper Tezzus made a prediction about the music industry that sounds more perceptive as time goes on.
—Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 9 June 2026
Such scenes run the risk of being treacly, and some of the players are too young themselves to say anything perceptive about parenthood.
—Beau Dure, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Today, the moon moves through the intensely perceptive sign of Scorpio, heightening everything from our instincts and emotional awareness to the desire to uncover what’s really going on beneath the surface.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
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Adjective
Your perceptive nature notices hidden tensions, and steady transparency transforms intensity into a clear, safe bond that supports both independence and closeness.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2026
In an interview early last year, rising Atlanta rapper Tezzus made a prediction about the music industry that sounds more perceptive as time goes on.
—Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 9 June 2026
Such scenes run the risk of being treacly, and some of the players are too young themselves to say anything perceptive about parenthood.
—Beau Dure, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Today, the moon moves through the intensely perceptive sign of Scorpio, heightening everything from our instincts and emotional awareness to the desire to uncover what’s really going on beneath the surface.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for perceptive
Cite this Entry
“Perceptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perceptive. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
perceptive
adjective
per·cep·tive
pər-ˈsep-tiv
: capable of or showing a keen ability to observe and understand
Medical Definition
perceptive
adjective
per·cep·tive
pər-ˈsep-tiv
: responsive to sensory stimulus
a perceptive eye
perceptively
adverb
perceptiveness
noun
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