Standard Lemma guide

preconceive

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -iːv
  • CMU ARPABET: P R IY2 K AH0 N S IY1 V Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To conceive, or form an opinion of, beforehand; to have a preconception

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: foreconceive

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

conceive beforehand

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a preconceived notion

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: gestate, conceive, conceptualize, conceptualise

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *per- Proto-Indo-European *preh2- Proto-Indo-European *-i Proto-Indo-European *préh2i? Proto-Italic *prai Proto-Italic *prai- Latin prae-lbor. Middle English pre- English pre- English conceive English preconceive From pre- + conceive.