perceive

[per-seev]

verb (used with object)

perceived, perceiving 

1. to become aware of, know, or identify by means of the senses.

   I perceived an object looming through the mist.

   Synonyms: distinguish, descry, observe, discover, note

2. to recognize, discern, envision, or understand: This is a nice idea but I perceive difficulties in putting it into practice.

   I perceive a note of sarcasm in your voice.

   This is a nice idea but I perceive difficulties in putting it into practice.

perceive

/ pəˈsiːv /

verb

1. to become aware of (something) through the senses, esp the sight; recognize or observe

2. (tr; may take a clause as object) to come to comprehend; grasp

Other Word Forms

• perceiver noun
• perceivingness noun
• nonperceiving adjective
• reperceive verb (used with object)
• self-perceiving adjective
• unperceiving adjective
• perceivability noun
• perceivably adverb
• perceivable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of perceive¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English perceiven, from unattested Anglo-French perceivre, for perçoivre, from Latin percipere “to lay hold of, grasp,” equivalent to per- per- + -cipere, combining form of capere “to take”

Word History and Origins

Origin of perceive¹

C13: from Old French perçoivre, from Latin percipere seize entirely, from _per- (thoroughly) + capere to grasp

Synonym Study

See notice.

Example Sentences

The Warriors said in a statement that Leigh chairman Derek Beaumont wrote to them on Tuesday to say his side will not play the game over what he perceives to be an "unacceptable" ticket allocation.

From BBC

Yet for a man who appears to be on top of the world, he's surprisingly angry, in particular about the increasing hurdles he perceives the government is putting in the way of firms like his.

From BBC

The admission comes some three weeks after the Supreme Court, without explanation, held that federal agents could continue stopping and arresting people based on race, language and perceived economic status.

From Salon

“Looking ahead, long-term recovery will depend on global economic conditions and how the U.S. is perceived abroad.”

From Los Angeles Times

It is a reflection, in a sentence, of how this party perceives its predicament and what it is trying to do about it.

From BBC

Related Words

• appreciate 
• comprehend 
• distinguish 
• feel 
• grasp 
• know 
• read 
• realize 
• recognize 
• see