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

Markets don’t wait for equilibrium logic to resolve before repricing risk because investors discount future cash flows, not conceptual coherence. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026

The apartments, approved in March by city officials, would total 311 units in four buildings with four to five stories, according to conceptual plans. —Tom Daykin, jsonline.com, 4 Feb. 2026

The resulting images of floating cameras, canisters, and film boxes push the idea of spirit photography to a conceptual (and rather comic) extreme. —Shannon Taggart, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026

The data were then fed into a 3-D computer program that created two models, one of Malinin’s jumps and another of conceptual improvements to the jumps. —Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 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