conceived: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic
Quick answer
What does “conceived” mean?
Formed as an idea, thought, or plan in the mind.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Formed as an idea, thought, or plan in the mind; imagined, originated.
Became pregnant; gave rise to something abstract; understood or grasped a concept; had a particular opinion or belief.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. Minor preference in UK English for 'conceived of' in passive constructions when referring to abstract ideas.
Connotations
Intellectual creation, careful planning, origin. Can carry formal or clinical overtones when referring to pregnancy.
Frequency
High frequency in academic, philosophical, and formal planning contexts; lower in casual conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “conceived” in a Sentence
conceive of (something/someone as)conceive (something)be conceived in/at/byVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “conceived” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The project was conceived in a small café near the British Museum.
- She conceived the notion while walking her Labrador in the Cotswolds.
- The policy, originally conceived by a cross-party committee, has evolved considerably.
American English
- The startup was conceived in a Stanford dorm room.
- He conceived the whole marketing campaign during his commute.
- The founders conceived of a platform that would connect freelancers directly.
adverb
British English
- The scheme was conceivedly ambitious from the outset.
- The process was conceivedly complex, but the manual simplified it.
American English
- The software is conceivedly user-friendly, but the interface is cluttered.
- The law was conceivedly just, though its application proved problematic.
adjective
British English
- The ill-conceived plan led to significant financial losses.
- Her newly-conceived artwork challenged traditional perspectives.
- It was a brilliantly conceived piece of engineering.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the genesis of a strategy or project.
Academic
Describes the formation of a theory, hypothesis, or work of art.
Everyday
Most common in discussing pregnancy or the origin of a simple idea.
Technical
Used in law (conceived intention), medicine (conception date), and philosophy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “conceived”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “conceived”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “conceived”
- *He conceived to do it. (Correct: He conceived of doing it/He conceived the idea of doing it)
- *The idea is difficult to be conceived. (Correct: The idea is difficult to conceive)
- Overusing the passive 'was conceived' when active 'originated' would be simpler.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Conceive' means to form or create an idea in your mind. 'Perceive' means to become aware of something through your senses (see, hear, etc.) or to interpret something in a particular way.
No, it is neutral. We can have 'brilliantly conceived', 'well-conceived', 'ill-conceived', or 'poorly conceived' plans, indicating the quality of the original thought.
It is moderately formal. Common in academic, business, and technical writing. In everyday speech, simpler words like 'thought of', 'came up with', or 'imagined' are often used instead.
Use 'conceived by' to indicate the person/group who had the idea (conceived by Newton). Use 'conceived in' for a place/time (conceived in Paris). Use 'conceived as' for its original intended state (conceived as a tool). 'Conceived from' is less common.
Formed as an idea, thought, or plan in the mind.
Conceived: in British English it is pronounced /kənˈsiːvd/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˈsiːvd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “conceived in liberty”
- “conceived in sin”
- “ill-conceived”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
To CONCEIVE is to have a 'concept' arrive in your mind.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE OFFSPRING (giving birth to an idea).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'conceived' LEAST appropriate?