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

• theoretical
• theoretic
• 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

Many Evanstonians favor increasing the housing supply in theory, but opposition quickly surfaces when developers attempt to turn the conceptual into reality. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025

Train them to think in terms of frameworks, repeatable models, and conceptual tools. —Rhea Wessel, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

The Butthole Surfers—their name, high jinks, and toilet paper stagecraft aside—were a rigorous, conceptual band. —Pat Blashill, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025

Slaying the Antihydra and its brethren will require conceptual breakthroughs in pure mathematics. —Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 22 Aug. 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