perceptual

adjective

per·​cep·​tu·​al (ˌ)pər-ˈsep-chə-wəl 

-chəl,

-shwəl

: of, relating to, or involving perception especially in relation to immediate sensory experience

perceptually adverb

Examples of perceptual in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Both songs lean into the themes of perceptual distortion that Halsey explored across the album. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2025

For many, these aura symptoms include visual hallucinations, perceptual distortions and most unsettlingly, a profound alteration in the perception of space and time. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024

But wine at altitude presents technical and perceptual challenges. —Rachel King, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025

With measurements from the eye, researchers were able to create both anatomical and perceptual models to simulate humpback whale perception. —Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 30 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

percept + -ual (as in conceptual)

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

perceptual

adjective

per·​cep·​tu·​al (ˌ)pər-ˈsep-chə(-wə)l, -ˈsepsh-wəl 

: of, relating to, or involving perception especially in relation to immediate sensory experience

auditory perceptual deficits

perceptually

-ē 

adverb