perceptive

adjective

per·​cep·​tive pər-ˈsep-tiv 

1

: responsive to sensory stimuli : discerning

a perceptive eye

2

a

: capable of or exhibiting keen perception : observant

a perceptive scholar

b

: characterized by sympathetic understanding or insight

perceptively adverb

perceptiveness noun

perceptivity

(ˌ)pər-ˌsep-ˈti-və-tē 

noun

Synonyms

• sensitive
• keen
• quick
• acute

Examples of perceptive in a Sentence

He is a very perceptive young man.

due to their ability to rotate their ears, cats are very perceptive when it comes to pinpointing the source of a sound

Recent Examples on the Web

In contrast to any expectations of bravado his work might engender, his demeanor was courteous, understated, his conversation as sharp and perceptive as his art. —Edna Bonhomme, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025

Kogonada is a thoughtful, perceptive filmmaker. —Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 19 Sep. 2025

Kogonada anchored this intellectual coming-of-age story in keenly perceptive images of the city’s buildings, as if seen through Casey’s mind’s eye, lending detailed and specific material reality to Casey’s inner life. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025

An alienated professor takes up weight lifting and ranting in Jordan Castro’s perceptive new novel, Muscle Man. —Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for perceptive

• deceptive
• receptive
• contraceptive
• nociceptive
• proprioceptive

Kids Definition

perceptive

adjective

per·​cep·​tive pər-ˈsep-tiv 

: capable of or showing a keen ability to observe and understand

Medical Definition

perceptive

adjective

per·​cep·​tive pər-ˈsep-tiv 

: responsive to sensory stimulus

a perceptive eye

perceptively adverb

perceptiveness noun

perceptivity

(ˌ)pər-ˌsep-ˈtiv-ət-ē 

noun

plural perceptivities