conceive
kuhn-SEEV
/kənˈsiːv/
To form or devise a plan, idea, or concept in the mind; also to become pregnant.
Focuses on the precise mental inception or birth of a complex idea.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'com-' (together) and 'capere' (to take). It literally meant taking something in and holding it inside, whether a child in the womb or a concept in the brain.
Word relationships
- devise: Devise emphasizes practical planning, while conceive emphasizes mental formation.
- destroy: Destroy means to bring to ruin, opposite to creating or conceiving.
Commonly confused with
- perceive: Perceive means to notice via senses; conceive means to construct in the mind.
Word family
- conception (noun): The origin or framing of an idea.
- conceivable (adjective): Capable of being imagined.
Collocations
- conceive a plan
- hard to conceive
- originally conceived
Idioms & expressions
- conceive of possibility
Example sentences
- "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty." Historical speech
- "The architect conceived a skyscraper that could harvest its own wind power." Architectural planning
Memory hook
To CONCEIVE is to RECEIVE an idea into your mind's womb. Receive an idea, conceive a plan.
When not to use
Avoid using for trivial or instant thoughts like 'I conceive we should eat now.'
Fun facts
- The word 'concept' comes directly from the past participle of conceive.
Related words
Explore more words
conceptualize, devise, ideation, envision, ideate, preconception
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