perceiver

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

per•ceive /pɚˈsiv/   v., -ceived, -ceiv•ing. 

[not: be + ~-ing]
1. to become aware of or identify by the senses:
   [~ + object] Some artists perceive very subtle differences in shade and tone.
2. to recognize or understand: [~ + object]
   I perceive difficulties in putting your idea into practice.
   [~ + that clause]
   He perceived that there would be difficulties.

per•ceiv•a•ble, adj. See -ceive-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

per•ceive  (pər sēv′), v.t., -ceived, -ceiv•ing. 

1. to become aware of, know, or identify by means of the senses:
   I perceived an object looming through the mist.
2. to recognize, discern, envision, or understand:
   I perceive a note of sarcasm in your voice. This is a nice idea but I perceive difficulties in putting it into practice.

• Latin percipere to lay hold of, grasp, equivalent. to per- per- + -cipere, combining form of capere to take
• Anglo-French *perceivre, for perçoivre
• 1250–1300; Middle English perceiven

per•ceiv•ed•ly  (pər sē′vid lē, -sēvd′-), adv.  per•ceiv′ed•ness, n. 
per•ceiv′er, n. 
per•ceiv′ing•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. note, discover, observe, descry, distinguish. See notice.