# conceptual

/kənˈsɛptʃuəɫ/ (US) · /kənsˈɛptʃuːəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/conceptual
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. based on ideas

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

relating to ideas or the way you think about something, rather than the physical thing itself.

For teachers: 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'.

### 2. art focused on ideas

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

a style of art where the idea behind the work is more important than the physical object.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The architect presented a conceptual drawing of the new museum.
- Before building the prototype, the engineering team spent months on the conceptual phase of the project.
- While the artist's work is technically impressive, its true value lies in its conceptual depth, challenging the audience to rethink their relationship with digital privacy.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.