Word
conceptual
Phoneticscon·cep·tu·al, stress on the second syllable
US/kənˈsɛptʃuəɫ/
UK/kənsˈɛptʃuːəl/
Definitions
01based on ideas
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
adj. relating to ideas or the way you think about something, rather than the physical thing itself.
adj. pertaining to concepts or the formation of ideas; often used to describe the theoretical stage of a project.
“The architect showed us a conceptual drawing of the building before the final plans were made.”
“Before moving to the engineering phase, the team spent months refining the conceptual framework of the new software architecture.”
Usage
Commonly precedes nouns like 'framework', 'model', 'design', or 'stage'.
Synonyms
02art focused on ideas
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. a style of art where the idea behind the work is more important than the physical object.
adj. relating to a movement in which the idea or concept involved in the work takes precedence over traditional aesthetic and material concerns.
“Some people find conceptual art difficult to understand because there is no painting to look at.”
“The exhibition featured several pieces of conceptual art that challenged the audience to reconsider the definition of a sculpture.”
Teaching tip
In an art context, this almost always refers to 'Conceptual Art', a specific movement from the mid-20th century.
Real-World Examples
“The paper recommends shifting away from teaching statistics as a collection of individual methods and toward developing deeper conceptual understanding.” “The Gold Album is similarly conceptual, this time the concept being the creation of an album the Weezer faithful will love.” Etymology
Borrowed from Medieval Latin conceptuālis, from Latin conceptus, perfect passive participle of concipiō (“take hold of; conceive”); see concept and -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/conceptual