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

• theoretical
• theoretic
• 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

Huang Yong Ping, the founder of the movement, along with major conceptual artists such as Geng Jianyi, Yin Xiuzhen and Shi Yong, all fell under the spell of Fluxus and carved out a unique position for the cohort within the international avant-garde. —Denni Hu, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2025

Mothersbaugh, a conceptual artist and composer, co-founded the rock group DEVO and has scored 150 films, television shows, video games and hundreds of commercials through his multimedia company, Mutato Muzika. —Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025

Gauss Fusion introduced its Conceptual Design Report (CDR) – a comprehensive conceptual blueprint for its commercial fusion power plant, GIGA. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025

Bauman said Neutral has a weak track record, and said its conceptual plan for high-rises at the Marcus site isn't viable. —Tom Daykin, jsonline.com, 7 Oct. 2025

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