C2 adjective Neutral

perceptive

/pəˈsep.tɪv/

Perceptive describes a person who has the ability to see or understand things quickly, especially things that are not obvious to others. It implies a high degree of insight, sensitivity, and mental sharpness in observing details or emotions.

Examples

3 of 5
1

He's very perceptive; he knew I was upset before I even said a word.

He is very good at noticing subtle emotional changes in others.

2

The committee's perceptive analysis of the social landscape informed the new policy.

The group's insightful examination of society helped create the rule.

3

Wow, you're perceptive! How did you guess I was hiding something?

You are really sharp and noticed my secret easily.

Word Family

Noun
perceptiveness
Verb
perceive
Adverb
perceptively
Adjective
perceptive
Related
perception
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Memory Tip

Think of 'perspective.' A perceptive person is someone who has the right 'perspective' to see the truth behind a situation.

Quick Quiz

The detective made several _______ observations that eventually led to the suspect's confession.

Correct!

The correct answer is: perceptive

Examples

1

He's very perceptive; he knew I was upset before I even said a word.

everyday

He is very good at noticing subtle emotional changes in others.

2

The committee's perceptive analysis of the social landscape informed the new policy.

formal

The group's insightful examination of society helped create the rule.

3

Wow, you're perceptive! How did you guess I was hiding something?

informal

You are really sharp and noticed my secret easily.

4

Perceptive observations regarding the narrative structure reveal the author's underlying bias.

academic

Deep and insightful comments on the story's build show the writer's prejudice.

5

A perceptive leader can anticipate market shifts before competitors even notice them.

business

An insightful manager predicts changes in the industry ahead of others.

Word Family

Noun
perceptiveness
Verb
perceive
Adverb
perceptively
Adjective
perceptive
Related
perception

Common Collocations

perceptive observer someone who notices details very well
highly perceptive extremely insightful or observant
perceptive comment a remark that shows deep understanding
perceptive eye the ability to notice small but important things
perceptive analysis a detailed and insightful examination

Common Phrases

a perceptive mind

an intellect that understands things quickly and deeply

perceptive of others' needs

being aware of what other people require or feel

a perceptive critique

a review that identifies subtle strengths or flaws

Often Confused With

perceptive vs perceptual

Perceptual relates to the physical process of the senses (e.g., perceptual skills), whereas perceptive relates to mental insight and understanding.

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Usage Notes

Use 'perceptive' as a compliment to describe someone's intelligence or emotional intelligence. It is most commonly used to describe people, their comments, or their observations.

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Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'perceptive' when they mean 'perceivable' (able to be seen). Remember that 'perceptive' is the quality of the person looking, not the object being looked at.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'perspective.' A perceptive person is someone who has the right 'perspective' to see the truth behind a situation.

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Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'percept-', meaning 'seized or understood', from the verb 'percipere'.

Grammar Patterns

adjective + noun (e.g., a perceptive student) be + perceptive + of (e.g., she is perceptive of the risks) it is/was perceptive of someone to (e.g., it was perceptive of him to notice)
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Cultural Context

In English-speaking professional and academic cultures, being called 'perceptive' is a high form of praise for one's analytical or social abilities.

Quick Quiz

The detective made several _______ observations that eventually led to the suspect's confession.

Correct!

The correct answer is: perceptive

Related Words

to

A1

Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.

and

A1

A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.

a

A1

A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.

that

A1

This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.

I

A1

The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.

for

A1

Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.

not

A1

A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.

with

A1

A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.

he

A1

A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.

you

A1

Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.

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