ENGLISH
REFERENCE

conceive

v.
C1 Advanced Oxford US //kənˈsiv// UK //kənsˈiːv// con·ceive Academic

v. to form an idea or a plan in your mind. It can also mean to become pregnant.

v. to form or devise a concept, plan, or idea in the mind; also to become pregnant with offspring. Often used in the passive voice when discussing the origins of projects or theories.


SIMPLE

It is hard to conceive of a world without the internet.

CONTEXTUAL

The architect struggled to conceive a design that met the budget while maintaining a modern aesthetic.

COMPLEX

While the committee could easily conceive of the potential benefits, they remained skeptical about the logistical challenges inherent in such a massive structural overhaul.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English conceyven, from Old French concevoir, conceveir, from Latin concipiō, concipere (“to devise, to conceive”).

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'of' when referring to imagining a possibility. The verb is transitive when referring to the creation of a specific plan or the act of becoming pregnant.

Pitfall

I cannot conceive how he did itI cannot conceive of how he did itWhen 'conceive' means to imagine or believe something is possible, it usually requires the preposition 'of'.

© 2026 English Reference