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

• abstract
• ideal
• ideational
• metaphysical
• notional
• theoretical
• theoretic

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

Solomon bravely represented conceptual artists such as Paik and Gordon Matta-Clark, and artists from the Arte Povera, and the Pattern and Decoration movements. —Tom Teicholz, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025

Surreal, beautiful, and then truly shocking, this is a classic conceptual A24 horror, with all the hallucinatory imagery, and head-spinning, hairpin bends that entails. —Radhika Seth, Vogue, 7 May 2025

The review analyzes the remaining portions of the building for structural deficiencies and makes conceptual recommendations for addressing these issues, according to a memo from City Manager Rickelle Williams to the commission sent on Monday. —Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2025

New York is home to a thriving underground of edgy, experimental noise bands right now, and Brutus VIII, the conceptual project led by musician Jackson Katz, is one of the best. —Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 6 May 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