perceptive
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 5He'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.
The committee's perceptive analysis of the social landscape informed the new policy.
The group's insightful examination of society helped create the rule.
Wow, you're perceptive! How did you guess I was hiding something?
You are really sharp and noticed my secret easily.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
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
He's very perceptive; he knew I was upset before I even said a word.
everydayHe is very good at noticing subtle emotional changes in others.
The committee's perceptive analysis of the social landscape informed the new policy.
formalThe group's insightful examination of society helped create the rule.
Wow, you're perceptive! How did you guess I was hiding something?
informalYou are really sharp and noticed my secret easily.
Perceptive observations regarding the narrative structure reveal the author's underlying bias.
academicDeep and insightful comments on the story's build show the writer's prejudice.
A perceptive leader can anticipate market shifts before competitors even notice them.
businessAn insightful manager predicts changes in the industry ahead of others.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
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
Perceptual relates to the physical process of the senses (e.g., perceptual skills), whereas perceptive relates to mental insight and understanding.
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.
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.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'percept-', meaning 'seized or understood', from the verb 'percipere'.
Grammar Patterns
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 Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used 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
A1A 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
A1A 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
A1This 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
A1The 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
A1Used 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
A1A 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
A1A 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
A1A 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
A1Used 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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