conceptual
adjective
con·cep·tu·al kən-ˈsep-chə-wəl 
-chü-əl,
kän-,
-chəl,
-shwəl
: 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
noun -shə-;
-chü-ˈa-
-shü-
conceptually adverb
Synonyms
- abstract
- ideal
- ideational
- metaphysical
- notional
- theoretical
- theoretic
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The plans have both conceptual and practical difficulties. conceptual thinking is often the most demanding kind of mental activity
Recent Examples on the Web Work by Hartford conceptual artist Joe Bun Keo is on display through Dec. 11. 
Susan Dunne, Hartford Courant, 8 Sep. 2022 The most important of these is Babak Radboy, a conceptual artist and creative director who is now a partner in Telfar—and Clemens’s all-encompassing consigliere. Maya Singer, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2022 The streetscape project received unanimous conceptual approval by the planning commission. Megan Sims, cleveland, 9 Aug. 2022 This is a monumental work by American conceptual artist Joseph Kosuth that pays homage to the town’s native son and hieroglyphics decipherer, Jean-François Champollion. Mary Winston Nicklin, Washington Post, 1 July 2022 The project received conceptual approval Tuesday from the East Side Architectural Review Board. Tom Daykin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3 May 2022 Security engineers and researchers emphasize that while there are different ways to approach production environment security, there is a conceptual problem if employees have broad access to user data and deployed code without extensive logging. WIRED, 25 Aug. 2022 One of the most important conceptual questions in cosmology is whether the same is possible with cosmological event horizons. Edgar Shaghoulian, Scientific American, 22 Aug. 2022 Officials aim to have initial conceptual proposals for the memorial in hand by Oct. 12, the mayor’s office stated. Gregory Yeestaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2022 See More
Susan Dunne, Hartford Courant, 8 Sep. 2022 The most important of these is Babak Radboy, a conceptual artist and creative director who is now a partner in Telfar—and Clemens’s all-encompassing consigliere. Maya Singer, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2022 The streetscape project received unanimous conceptual approval by the planning commission. Megan Sims, cleveland, 9 Aug. 2022 This is a monumental work by American conceptual artist Joseph Kosuth that pays homage to the town’s native son and hieroglyphics decipherer, Jean-François Champollion. Mary Winston Nicklin, Washington Post, 1 July 2022 The project received conceptual approval Tuesday from the East Side Architectural Review Board. Tom Daykin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3 May 2022 Security engineers and researchers emphasize that while there are different ways to approach production environment security, there is a conceptual problem if employees have broad access to user data and deployed code without extensive logging. WIRED, 25 Aug. 2022 One of the most important conceptual questions in cosmology is whether the same is possible with cosmological event horizons. Edgar Shaghoulian, Scientific American, 22 Aug. 2022 Officials aim to have initial conceptual proposals for the memorial in hand by Oct. 12, the mayor’s office stated. Gregory Yeestaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2022 See More 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
Phrases Containing conceptual
Medical Definition
conceptual
adjective
con·cep·tu·al kən-ˈsep-chə(-wə)l, kän-, -ˈsepsh-wəl
: of, relating to, or consisting of concepts
conceptual
adjective
as in theoretical
dealing with or expressing a quality or idea conceptual thinking is often the most demanding kind of mental activity Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- theoretical
- metaphysical
- abstract
- theoretic
- mental
- intellectual
- ideational
- spiritual
- speculative
- notional
- ideal
- hypothetical
- cosmic
- transcendental
- conjectural
- invisible
- cosmical
- intangible
- immaterial
- nonphysical
- nonmaterial
- incorporeal
- utopian
- ethereal
- insubstantial
- romantic
- transcendent
- visionary
- unsubstantial
- imperceptible
- impractical
- impalpable
- unreal
- insensible
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- concrete
- physical
- tangible
- substantial
- material
- actual
- discernible
- definite
- distinct
- real
- sensible
- perceptible
- appreciable
- observable
- visible
- factual
- noticeable
- detectable
- nonabstract
- palpable
- discernable
- defined