conceptual

adjective

con·​cep·​tu·​al kən-ˈsep-chə-wəl 

-chü-əl,

kän-,

-chəl,

-shwəl

: of, relating to, or consisting of concepts

conceptual thinking

the project's conceptual and technical hurdles

conceptual designs

conceptuality

kən-ˌsep-chə-ˈwa-lə-tē 

-shə-;

-chü-ˈa-

-shü-

noun

conceptually adverb

Synonyms

• abstract
• ideal
• ideational
• metaphysical
• notional
• theoretical
• theoretic

Examples of conceptual in a Sentence

The plans have both conceptual and practical difficulties.

conceptual thinking is often the most demanding kind of mental activity

Recent Examples on the Web

Paris, which ran Oct. 16 to Sunday and where there was also no shortage of conceptual design curations and icons new and old. —Sofia Celeste, WWD, 22 Oct. 2024

This Wooster Group offering moves the company closer to conceptual installation art. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024

Ligon, a conceptual painter and sculptor known for exploring text in his works, is represented by the same gallery in New York as Simpson. 11. —Dean Baquet, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2024

This can allow the creative team to spend more time on the conceptual aspects of their work. —Nick Leighton, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin conceptualis of thought, from Late Latin conceptus act of conceiving, thought, from Latin concipere — see concept entry 1

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing conceptual

• conceptual art

Medical Definition

conceptual

adjective

con·​cep·​tu·​al kən-ˈsep-chə(-wə)l, kän-, -ˈsepsh-wəl 

: of, relating to, or consisting of concepts

conceptually adverb