perceive

play

verb per·ceive \ pər-ˈsēv \

Definition of perceive

perceived; perceiving

transitive verb

1 a :to attain awareness or understanding of

b :to regard as being such

perceived threats

was perceived as a loser

2 :to become aware of through the senses; especially :see, observe

—

perceivable

play \pər-ˈsē-və-bəl\ adjective

—

perceivably

play \pər-ˈsē-və-blē\ adverb

—

perceiver

noun

See perceive defined for English-language learners

See perceive defined for kids

Examples of perceive in a Sentence

We perceive by means of the kaleidoscopic mirror of this life. This means that our ability to perceive is at once tyrannized by our expectations, and at war with them. —James Baldwin, The Evidence of Things Not Seen, 1985
Standing in the hallway just out of sight during this interview was Sarah. She held her baby on her hip and she listened. She perceived as no one in the family could the enormity of the misfortune. —E. L. Doctorow, Ragtime, 1974
… and when they perceived her to be little struck with the duet they were so good as to play, they could do no more than make her a generous present of some of their least valued toys, and leave her to herself, while they adjourned to whatever might be the favourite holiday sport of the moment, making artificial flowers or wasting gold paper. —Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814
I thought I perceived a problem, but I wasn't sure.
perceived that it was going to be a nice day

Recent Examples of perceive from the Web

She and the 17 other castaways have been divided into three tribes — Heroes, Healers or Hustlers — based on how others perceive them.

— hal boedeker, OrlandoSentinel.com, "'Survivor': Satellite Beach lifeguard competes," 30 Aug. 2017
That's rare for channels that are perceived as mostly women's networks.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Amid uneasy times, the feel-good Hallmark Channel is booming," 22 Aug. 2017
Depressed folks have a tendency to perceive things negatively, which can exacerbate conditions.

— rachel grumman bender, SELF, "8 Steps You Can Take to Lower Your Risk of Postpartum Depression," 2 Aug. 2017
Trump has praised Scaramucci’s combativeness and loyalty, which the president has contrasted with Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ perceived betrayal.

— Washington Post, "Scaramucci lobs grenades in already chaotic White House," 27 July 2017
Any perceived move away from the status quo in the talks could spark a spike in volatility.

— david goodman, Bloomberg.com, "Brexit Bulletin: Glimmers of Hope," 19 July 2017
Any time somebody had a question either perceived as neutral or positive, the people opposed shouted over them, spoke over them, or spoke out of turn.

— aimee levitt, Chicago Reader, "Books / News / Politics Buena Park to Haymarket Books: We don’t want you here," 17 July 2017
Her evolution, and how it will be perceived, is top of mind.

— Harper's BAZAAR, "Miley Cyrus' Summer of Love," 13 July 2017
Preckwinkle said Sharon Brannigan's comments, which have been perceived as anti-Arab and anti-Muslim, run contrary to the views of the commission, which exists to advance the status of women and girls in Cook County.

— zak koeske, Daily Southtown, "Preckwinkle calls on controversial Palos Township trustee to resign from county commission," 12 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'perceive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of perceive

Middle English, from Anglo-French perceivre, from Latin percipere, from per- thoroughly + capere to take — more at heave

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

perceive Synonyms

Synonyms

feel, scent, see, sense, smell, taste

Antonyms

miss

Related Words

behold, descry, discern, distinguish, espy, eye, look (at), note, notice, observe, feel, regard, remark, sight, spy, view, witness; ascertain, catch on (to), discover, find out, hear, learn, realize; anticipate, divine, expect, foreknow, foresee; assume, conjecture, guess, presume, speculate, suppose, surmise, suspect

Near Antonyms

disregard, ignore, neglect, overpass, pass over; miss, overlook

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

PERCEIVE Defined for English Language Learners

perceive

play

verb

Definition of perceive for English Language Learners

: to notice or become aware of (something)
: to think of (someone or something) as being something stated

PERCEIVE Defined for Kids

perceive

play

verb per·ceive \ pər-ˈsēv \

Definition of perceive for Students

perceived; perceiving

1 :to become aware of through the senses and especially through sight

Perceiving the intruders in their nest the birds flew down upon them …
—L. Frank Baum, The Marvelous Land of Oz

2 :to recognize or realize

I perceived a change in her attitude.

3 :to think of as

The message was perceived as a threat.

Medical Dictionary

perceive

play

transitive verb per·ceive \ pər-ˈsēv \

medical Definition of perceive

perceived; perceiving

:to become aware of through the senses

—

perceivable

play \-ˈsē-və-bəl\ adjective

—

perceivably

play \-blē\ adverb

—

perceiver

noun

Learn More about perceive

See words that rhyme with perceive Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for perceive Spanish Central: Translation of perceive Nglish: Translation of perceive for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of perceive for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up perceive? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

perceive

Definition of perceive

perceivable

perceivably

perceiver

People Are Reading

Examples of perceive in a Sentence

Recent Examples of perceive from the Web

Origin and Etymology of perceive

perceive Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Other Psychology Terms

PERCEIVE Defined for English Language Learners

perceive

Definition of perceive for English Language Learners

PERCEIVE Defined for Kids

perceive

Definition of perceive for Students

Medical Dictionary

perceive

medical Definition of perceive

perceivable

perceivably

perceiver

Learn More about perceive

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'Diffuse' vs. 'Defuse'

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066