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

That project subsequently moved beyond the purely conceptual stage. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026

But, per his conceptual preference, Kotlyarenko’s riff on familiar territory is texturally very now, and the setpieces are often based around tech that didn’t exist 20 years ago. — Vadim Rizov, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026

Even a slender 71 minutes is a long time to stay in such a narrow comic lane, but the laughs arrive continuously until the end and the larger conceptual framework is airtight. — Vadim Rizov, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026

Leaning into the songwriter thing was almost like a conceptual exercise. — Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 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