If you describe a person or their remarks or thoughts as perceptive, you think that they are good at noticing or realizing things, especially things that are not obvious.
[approval]
He was one of the most perceptive U.S. political commentators.
...a very perceptive critique of Wordsworth.
Synonyms: observant, acute, intelligent, discerning More Synonyms of perceptive
perceptivelyadverb [usually ADVERB with verb, oft ADVERB adjective]
The stages in her love affair with Harry are perceptively written.
perceptivenessuncountable noun
The task I have in mind requires little more than perceptiveness and a good memory.
perceptive in British English
(pəˈsɛptɪv)
adjective
1.
quick at perceiving; observant
2.
perceptual
3.
able to perceive
Derived forms
perceptively (perˈceptively)
adverb
perceptiveness (perˈceptiveness) or perceptivity (ˌpercepˈtivity)
noun
perceptive in American English
(pərˈsɛptɪv)
adjective
1.
of or capable of perception
2.
able to perceive quickly and easily; having keen insight or intuition; penetrating
Derived forms
perceptively (perˈceptively)
adverb
perceptiveness (perˈceptiveness)
noun or ˌpercepˈtivity (ˌpɜrsɛpˈtɪvəti)
Word origin
ML perceptivus
Examples of 'perceptive' in a sentence
perceptive
We get on well and she can be funny and perceptive.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He was intelligent and perceptive in choosing when to make his interventions.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
His three years in this command with its worldwide responsibilities added depth and perspective to this perceptive mind.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
While the story might be tragic, his recounting of it is both witty and perceptive.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
His perceptive, sometimes witty election reporting has been a joy.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It was unexpected, shocking, funny and perceptive.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This intelligent, perceptive romantic drama deals with more than just the quandary of two lovers forced apart by the very commitment they made to being together.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
perceptive
British English: perceptive ADJECTIVE
If you describe a person or their remarks or thoughts as perceptive, you think that they are good at noticing or realizing things, especially things that are not obvious.
He was a most perceptive political commentator.
American English: perceptive
Brazilian Portuguese: perceptivo
Chinese: 有洞察力的
European Spanish: perspicaz
French: perspicace
German: aufmerksam
Italian: perspicace
Japanese: 理解力の鋭い
Korean: 통찰력이 있는
European Portuguese: percetivo
Latin American Spanish: perspicaz
Chinese translation of 'perceptive'
perceptive
(pəˈsɛptɪv)
adj
[person]观(觀)察敏锐(銳)的 (guānchá mǐnruì de)
[comment, analysis]富有见(見)地的 (fùyǒu jiàndì de)
(adjective)
Definition
observant
a very perceptive critique of Wordsworth
Synonyms
observant
An observant doctor can detect symptoms from expression and posture.
acute
His relaxed exterior hides an extremely acute mind.
intelligent
Rita is a highly intelligent woman.
discerning
tailor-made holidays to suit the more discerning traveller
quick
The older adults are not as quick in their thinking.
aware
sharp
He is very sharp and swift with repartee.
sensitive
an extremely sensitive microscope
alert
penetrating
a penetrating mind
discriminating
These products are snapped up by more discriminating customers.
shrewd
She's a shrewd businesswoman.
a shrewd guess
responsive
astute
He made a series of astute business decisions.
intuitive
insightful
She offered some really insightful observations.
percipient
perspicacious (formal)
a man of perspicacious judgment
Opposites
stupid
,
dull
,
indifferent
,
insensitive
,
thick
,
obtuse
,
slow-witted
Additional synonyms
in the sense of acute
Definition
penetrating in perception or insight
His relaxed exterior hides an extremely acute mind.
Synonyms
perceptive,
sharp,
keen,
smart,
sensitive,
clever,
subtle,
piercing,
penetrating,
discriminating,
discerning,
ingenious,
astute,
intuitive,
canny,
incisive,
insightful,
observant,
perspicacious (formal),
on the ball (informal)
in the sense of astute
Definition
quick to notice or understand
He made a series of astute business decisions.
Synonyms
intelligent,
politic,
bright,
sharp,
keen,
calculating,
clever,
subtle,
penetrating,
knowing,
shrewd,
cunning,
discerning,
sly,
on the ball (informal),
canny,
perceptive,
wily,
crafty,
artful,
insightful,
foxy,
adroit,
sagacious (formal)
in the sense of discerning
Definition
having or showing good judgment
tailor-made holidays to suit the more discerning traveller
Synonyms
discriminating,
knowing,
sharp,
critical,
acute,
sensitive,
wise,
intelligent,
subtle,
piercing,
penetrating,
shrewd,
ingenious,
astute,
perceptive,
judicious,
clear-sighted,
percipient,
perspicacious (formal),
sagacious (formal)
Nearby words of
perceptive
perceive
perceptible
perception
perceptive
perch
perchance
percipience
Synonyms of 'perceptive'
perceptive
Explore 'perceptive' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of discriminating
These products are snapped up by more discriminating customers.
Synonyms
discerning,
particular,
keen,
critical,
acute,
sensitive,
refined,
cultivated,
selective,
astute,
tasteful,
fastidious
in the sense of insightful
She offered some really insightful observations.
Synonyms
perceptive,
shrewd,
discerning,
understanding,
wise,
penetrating,
knowledgeable,
astute,
observant,
perspicacious (formal),
sagacious (formal)
in the sense of intelligent
Definition
having or showing intelligence
Rita is a highly intelligent woman.
Synonyms
clever,
bright,
smart,
knowing,
quick,
sharp,
acute,
alert,
rational,
penetrating,
enlightened,
apt,
discerning,
knowledgeable,
astute,
well-informed,
brainy (informal),
perspicacious,
quick-witted,
sagacious (formal)
in the sense of penetrating
Definition
tending to or able to penetrate
a penetrating mind
Synonyms
intelligent,
quick,
sharp,
keen,
critical,
acute,
profound,
discriminating,
shrewd,
discerning,
astute,
perceptive,
incisive,
sharp-witted,
perspicacious (formal),
sagacious (formal)
in the sense of perspicacious
Definition
acutely perceptive or discerning
a man of perspicacious judgment
Synonyms
perceptive,
aware,
sharp,
keen,
acute,
alert,
clever,
penetrating,
shrewd,
discerning,
astute,
observant,
clear-sighted,
percipient (formal),
sharp-witted,
sagacious (formal)
in the sense of quick
Definition
responsive to stimulation
The older adults are not as quick in their thinking.
Synonyms
intelligent,
bright,
alert,
sharp,
acute,
smart,
clever,
all there (informal),
shrewd,
discerning,
astute,
receptive,
perceptive,
quick-witted,
quick on the uptake (informal),
nimble-witted
in the sense of responsive
Definition
reacting quickly or favourably to something
Synonyms
sensitive,
open,
aware,
sharp,
alive,
forthcoming,
sympathetic,
awake,
susceptible,
receptive,
reactive,
perceptive,
impressionable,
quick to react
in the sense of sensitive
Definition
(of an instrument) capable of registering small differences or changes in amounts