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

Both films are front-runners in the current awards season thanks to their bold conceptual swings, ambitious and original visual approaches, and combination of intimate and epic qualities. —Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 25 Nov. 2025

De La Soul have always packaged their albums in conceptual frameworks. —Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 25 Nov. 2025

Beckert tries to tame the sense of a conceptual free-for-all by partitioning the evolution of capitalism into periods of punctuated equilibrium. —Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025

In addition, the event’s most unusual offering, the 220-pound, 18-karat gold toilet by the conceptual artist and enfant terrible Maurizio Cattelan, only drew a single bid. —Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 19 Nov. 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