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 

-shə-;

-chü-ˈa-

-shü-

noun

conceptually adverb

Synonyms

• abstract
• ideal
• ideational
• metaphysical
• notional
• theoretical
• theoretic

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

But nine months in, except for releasing broad, conceptual artists’ renderings to neighborhood groups, HP Village — rebranded last year at The Village Collection — has yet to submit even preliminary plans to City Hall or the City Plan Commission. —Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2025

Unlike regular magazines, Billboard Artist is a large-format, unbound conceptual edition where each page feels like a collectible poster. —Billboard Korea, Billboard, 18 Mar. 2025

With his extraordinary series of books prefiguring the rockets and robots that could set the stage for the human exploration and transformation of Mars, Zubrin is widely considered the supreme conceptual creator of a future Eden-like New World on Mars. —Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025

The forum came as a developer of the former Michael Reese Hospital site in Chicago, Farpoint Development, released conceptual drawings of the project that include a Bears stadium. —Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025

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

• conceptual art

Medical Definition

conceptual

adjective

con·​cep·​tu·​al kən-ˈsep-chə(-wə)l, kän-, -ˈsepsh-wəl 

: of, relating to, or consisting of concepts

conceptually adverb