English Reference
noun

perception

n.
US /pɝˈsɛpʃən/ UK /pəsˈɛpʃən/ per·cep·tion UK spelling perceptions

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    the way you think about something or your idea of what it is like.

    a belief or opinion, often held by many people and based on how things seem.

    Simple

    Public perception of the company changed after the news report.

    In context

    The marketing campaign was specifically designed to shift the public perception of the brand from an affordable option to a luxury staple.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced AcademicTechnical Science

    the ability to see, hear, or smell things, and how your brain understands those signals.

    the neurobiological process of attaining awareness or understanding of sensory information.

    Simple

    Drugs can sometimes change your perception of time and space.

    In context

    The study explores how visual perception is affected by low-light conditions in elderly subjects compared to younger control groups.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Formal

    the ability to notice things that are not obvious to others.

    the capacity for insight or intuitive understanding; mental acuity.

    Simple

    She is a woman of great perception who notices every small detail.

    In context

    His keen perception allowed him to identify the subtle tensions within the room long before any overt disagreement occurred.

    insightdiscernmentshrewdness
    ignoranceobliviousness

Usage explore perception · negative perception · perception assess

Positive perceptions of old age therefore do not mean glossing over the realities of aging or ignoring its challenges.

Phys.org· 17 Aug 2026

Because it is based on self-reported data, the findings depend heavily on people's subjective perceptions at the time they were asked.

Phys.org· 13 Aug 2026

From Middle English percepcioun, from Middle French percepcion, from Latin perceptiō (“a receiving or collecting, perception, comprehension”), from perceptus (“perceived, observed”), perfect passive participle of percipiō (“to perceive, observe”); see perceive.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin perceptiō
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated