English Reference

Word

preconceived

Phoneticspre·con·ceived

US/ˌpɹikənˈsivd/

UK/pɹˌiːkənsˈiːvd/

Definition

v. already formed in your mind before you have any real experience or information. You use this to describe an opinion or idea that you cannot change because you already believe it.

v. formed or held in advance of experience or evidence. Often used to describe biases or assumptions that prevent a person from considering new information objectively.

Examples

“He had preconceived ideas about the city before he arrived.”

“The manager's preconceived notions about the team's performance made it difficult for him to accept the new data.”

“To overcome a preconceived bias, one must actively seek out information that contradicts their existing beliefs and remain open to the possibility of being proven wrong.”

Examples

simple

“He had preconceived ideas about the city before he arrived.”

contextual

“The manager's preconceived notions about the team's performance made it difficult for him to accept the new data.”

complex

“To overcome a preconceived bias, one must actively seek out information that contradicts their existing beliefs and remain open to the possibility of being proven wrong.”

Real-World Examples

“He added that the crew began the probe without any preconceived notion of who the monster was that butchered Short.”
Toronto Sun · 13 Sept 2026
“It’s grounded in its absurdity, self-assured in its delivery, distinctly Australian but never panders to a preconceived idea of what that means.”
The Guardian · 8 Sept 2026

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference