perceptive

adjective

per·​cep·​tive pər-ˈsep-tiv 

1

: responsive to sensory stimuli : discerning

a perceptive eye

2

a

: capable of or exhibiting keen perception : observant

a perceptive scholar

b

: characterized by sympathetic understanding or insight

perceptively adverb

perceptiveness noun

perceptivity

(ˌ)pər-ˌsep-ˈti-və-tē 

noun

Synonyms

• acute
• delicate
• fine
• keen
• quick
• sensitive
• sharp

Examples of perceptive in a Sentence

He is a very perceptive young man.

due to their ability to rotate their ears, cats are very perceptive when it comes to pinpointing the source of a sound

Recent Examples on the Web

Haugerud’s airily woven script isn’t shy about hanging on coincidence and contrivance, as its various narrative strands hover between perceptive human observation and playful hypothesis. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 6 Sep. 2024

Consumers are very perceptive, and this can lead to audience alienation. —Emily Reynolds Bergh, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

While resilient and perceptive, Scorpios are natural investigators, always searching for the truth beneath the surface. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024

Gordon was a sharp, snarky, perceptive, occasionally judgmental but morally sound voice on the music, the business and the people — and judgment was certainly necessary. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 3 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

perceptive

adjective

per·​cep·​tive pər-ˈsep-tiv 

: capable of or showing a keen ability to observe and understand

Medical Definition

perceptive

adjective

per·​cep·​tive pər-ˈsep-tiv 

: responsive to sensory stimulus

a perceptive eye

perceptively adverb

perceptiveness noun

perceptivity

(ˌ)pər-ˌsep-ˈtiv-ət-ē 

noun

plural perceptivities