conceptual

adjective

con·​cep·​tu·​al kən-ˈsep-chə-wəl 

-chü-əl, 

kän-, 

-chəl, 

-shwəl

: of, relating to, or consisting of concepts

conceptual thinking

the project's conceptual and technical hurdles

conceptual designs

conceptuality

kən-ˌsep-chə-ˈwa-lə-tē 

-shə-;

-chü-ˈa-, 

-shü-

noun

conceptually adverb

Synonyms of conceptual

• theoretical
• metaphysical
• abstract

Examples of conceptual in a Sentence

The plans have both conceptual and practical difficulties.

conceptual thinking is often the most demanding kind of mental activity

Recent Examples on the Web

The 200-unit complex with two levels of parking has received conceptual approval from the city of Boise and is going through the city’s design-approval process now and for the next eight to 12 months, Mansfield said. —Darin Oswald, Idaho Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026

Among the display highlights are artist Tim Lowly’s portraits of his daughter, as well as innovative conceptual framework for the art of Mary Porterfield. —Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026

With Toral’s encouragement the two collaboratively did pop-ups at outlets like Superette and Forma, a conceptual studio in an industrial building in the River District. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026

To demonstrate the system’s capabilities, the research team, led by Huang Jiangtao of the China Aerodynamics Research and Development Centre, applied PADJ-X to conceptual configurations resembling the US Air Force’s B-21 stealth bomber, which is currently undergoing flight testing. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin conceptualis of thought, from Late Latin conceptus act of conceiving, thought, from Latin concipere — see concept entry 1

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing conceptual

• conceptual art

Medical Definition

conceptual

adjective

con·​cep·​tu·​al kən-ˈsep-chə(-wə)l, kän-, -ˈsepsh-wəl 

: of, relating to, or consisting of concepts

conceptually adverb