conceptual

adjective

con·​cep·​tu·​al kən-ˈsep-chə-wəl How to pronounce conceptual (audio)
-chü-əl, 
kän-, 
-chəl, 
-shwəl
Synonyms of conceptual
: 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 How to pronounce conceptual (audio)
-shə-;
-chü-ˈa-, 
-shü-
noun
conceptually adverb

Synonyms of conceptual

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Handwritten notes can lead students to perform better on questions requiring conceptual understanding, when compared to students typing on laptops. — James Davis, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 To that point, the Administrative Procedure Act, which requires that agency actions observe procedural requirements, generally applies to final agency actions—not tentative or merely conceptual ones. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 Aug. 2026 But there is no evidence yet that it was involved in any of the planning behind FIFA Forward Enterprises (FFE), which has reportedly been at a conceptual stage for more than a year. — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 31 July 2026 Schmidt, who was born in Leipzig in 1979 and lives and works in Hamburg as a filmmaker, video and conceptual artist, directed and edited the film based on his own screenplay. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for conceptual

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of conceptual was in 1825

Phrases Containing conceptual

Browse Nearby Words

conceptism
conceptual
conceptual art
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Cite this Entry

“Conceptual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conceptual. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Medical Definition

conceptual

adjective
con·​cep·​tu·​al kən-ˈsep-chə(-wə)l, kän-, -ˈsepsh-wəl How to pronounce conceptual (audio)
: of, relating to, or consisting of concepts
conceptually adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on conceptual

Nglish: Translation of conceptual for Spanish Speakers

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