Word
perceive
Phoneticsper·ceive, stress on the second syllable
US/pɝˈsiv/
UK/pəsˈiːv/
Definitions
01to notice with senses
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
v. to notice or see something, especially when it is not very obvious.
v. to become aware of something through the physical senses, particularly sight or hearing.
日本語:気付く※
“I could perceive a faint smell of smoke coming from the kitchen.”
“The researchers were able to perceive subtle changes in the patient's heart rate that had gone unnoticed by the previous team.”
Usage
Often used with 'can' or 'could' to describe sensory detection.
02to interpret or view
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
v. to think of something or someone in a certain way.
v. to regard, interpret, or understand something in a particular manner.
日本語:捕らえる※
“Many people perceive the new law as a threat to their privacy.”
“The public tends to perceive the CEO as a visionary leader, despite the company's recent financial struggles.”
Usage
Commonly used in the pattern 'perceive something as something'.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “perceive” in context.
Verb
01. generally perceive
“People generally perceive him as a fair and honest leader.”
adv + verb
02. perceive as
“It is important how others perceive you as a professional during the interview.”
verb + prep
03. perceive environment
“Animals use their senses to perceive the environment and avoid potential predators.”
verb + noun
04. perceive gain
“Investors often act quickly when they perceive a potential gain in the stock market.”
verb + noun
05. widely perceive
“The new policy is widely perceived to be a step in the right direction for the company.”
adv + verb
Real-World Examples
“First we perceive something, then we think about it and make a choice, and finally we act.” “But for the brain to perceive these languages as a real language, they have to express meaning about the world, other people and our own mental states.” Etymology
From Middle English perceyven, borrowed from Old French percevoir, perceveir, from Latin percipiō, past participle perceptus (“take hold of, obtain, receive, observe”), from per (“by, through”) + capiō (“to take”); see capable. Compare conceive, deceive, receive.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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 IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/perceive
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0