conceptual
gb/kənsˈɛpt͡ʃuəl/ us/kənsˈɛpt͡ʃuəl/
B2
English
elméleti, fogalmi, koncepcionális, elvi
B2
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
conceptual [noun]; conceptual understanding of [something]
The course gives students a conceptual understanding of how markets work.
A kurzus segít a hallgatóknak fogalmi szinten megérteni, hogyan működnek a piacok.
We need a stronger conceptual framework before we collect data.
Erősebb elméleti keretre van szükségünk, mielőtt adatokat gyűjtünk.
The two studies use different terms, but the conceptual distinction is small.
Learner examples
This chapter is very conceptual, not practical.
Ez a fejezet nagyon elméleti, nem gyakorlati.
The teacher explained the conceptual side of the topic first.
A tanár először a téma elméleti oldalát magyarázta el.
Common mistake:
Do not use conceptual to mean simply “new” or “creative.” It usually means abstract or idea-based.
Meaning
Relating to abstract ideas
Collocations
conceptual understanding
|conceptual framework
|conceptual model
|conceptual distinction
|conceptual problem
|conceptual issue
|conceptual analysis
|conceptual clarity
|conceptual knowledge
|conceptual thinking
Synonyms
abstract (emphasizes ideas rather than concrete examples)
|
theoretical (emphasizes theory rather than practice)
|
notional (more formal and often less concrete or less fully developed)
|
idea-based (clearer and less formal)
Antonyms
concrete (based on real examples or physical things)
|
practical (concerned with use and action rather than abstract ideas)
|
empirical (based on observation or evidence rather than concepts alone)
Themes
thinking
|education
|academic
|ideas
Definition
connected with ideas and general principles rather than concrete details or real objects
Relating to ideas, concepts, or mental understanding rather than to physical things, specific examples, or practical details.
C1
BUSINESS
2
elvi
B2
Usage pattern:
conceptual [design/plan/proposal/drawing]; still conceptual
The architect presented conceptual drawings rather than finished blueprints.
Az építész a kész tervrajzok helyett inkább vázlatterveket mutatott be.
At this stage, the proposal is still conceptual and will change after testing.
Ebben a szakaszban a javaslat még csak koncepcionális, és a tesztelés után változni fog.
The team agreed on a conceptual design for the new app.
Learner examples
The plan is only conceptual now.
A terv egyelőre még csak elvi szinten létezik.
They showed us a conceptual design.
Megmutatták nekünk a koncepciótervet.
Common mistake:
Conceptual does not mean “false” or “imaginary”; it often means the idea exists but the details are not finished yet.
Meaning
High-level and preliminary
Collocations
conceptual design
|conceptual plan
|conceptual proposal
|conceptual stage
|conceptual drawings
|conceptual layout
|conceptual architecture
|conceptual prototype
|conceptual sketches
Synonyms
preliminary (emphasizes that it comes before the final version)
|
high-level (emphasizes the overall view rather than details)
|
schematic (often used for simplified drawings or plans)
Antonyms
detailed (worked out in specific parts)
|
final (complete and no longer preliminary)
|
fully developed (has moved beyond the early idea stage)
Themes
design
|business
|planning
|technology
Definition
showing the basic idea of something before the details are finished
Describes a plan, design, or version that shows the main idea or overall structure before exact details are worked out.
Grammar
Dictionary form
conceptual
IPA
GB/kənsˈɛpt͡ʃuəl/
US/kənsˈɛpt͡ʃuəl/
Syllables & stress
con - cep - tu - al (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cep)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: conceptual
Expressions
conceptual analysis
1/kənsˈɛpt͡ʃuəl ænˈælɪsɪs/
fixed phrase
technical
Examination of concept meanings
careful study of what an idea or term means
Examples
- The paper offers a conceptual analysis of privacy in the digital age.
- Philosophers often use conceptual analysis to clarify difficult terms.
- A conceptual analysis of power can reveal hidden assumptions in policy debates.
Learner examples
- The article gives a conceptual analysis of freedom.
- Conceptual analysis asks what a concept means.
conceptual art
1/kənsˈɛpt͡ʃuəl ˈɑɹt/
fixed phrase
Idea-centered art
art where the main point is the idea, not how beautiful or skillful it looks
Examples
- The museum has a large collection of conceptual art from the 1970s.
- Her work combines photography, performance, and conceptual art.
- Some visitors found the conceptual art difficult to understand at first.
Learner examples
- Conceptual art focuses on ideas.
- I saw conceptual art at the museum.
conceptual design
1/kənsˈɛpt͡ʃuəl dɪzˈaɪn/
fixed phrase
business
Early high-level design
the first design that shows the main idea before the details are finished
Examples
- The agency approved the conceptual design for the new bridge.
- During the conceptual design phase, the team explored several possible layouts.
- The client liked the conceptual design but asked for more detail about costs.
Learner examples
- They showed a conceptual design for the house.
- The conceptual design may change later.
conceptual framework
1/kənsˈɛpt͡ʃuəl fɹˈeɪmwˌɚk/
fixed phrase
formal
System of guiding ideas
a set of main ideas that helps you understand or study something
Examples
- The report uses a conceptual framework based on social justice and economic opportunity.
- Without a clear conceptual framework, the data were difficult to interpret.
- The team developed a conceptual framework for measuring customer trust.
Learner examples
- We need a conceptual framework for the project.
- The book gives a simple conceptual framework.
conceptual metaphor
1/kənsˈɛpt͡ʃuəl mˈɛtəfɔɹ/
fixed phrase
technical
Idea understood through another
a deep metaphor that shapes how people think about an idea
Examples
- In linguistics, “argument is war” is a classic example of a conceptual metaphor.
- The study examines conceptual metaphors used in political speeches.
- The conceptual metaphor of life as a journey appears in many languages.
Learner examples
- “Time is money” is a conceptual metaphor.
- This metaphor shapes how we talk about time.
conceptual model
1/kənsˈɛpt͡ʃuəl mˈɑdəl/
fixed phrase
formal
Abstract simplified representation
a simple idea-based model that shows how something works
Examples
- The diagram is a conceptual model of the local transport system.
- Researchers built a conceptual model to explain how the disease spreads.
- The software team started with a conceptual model of the database.
Learner examples
- This picture is a conceptual model of the system.
- The model shows the main parts, not every detail.
conceptual skills
1/kənsˈɛpt͡ʃuəl skˈɪlz/
fixed phrase
business
Abstract thinking abilities
the ability to think clearly about big ideas and complex systems
Examples
- Senior managers need strong conceptual skills as well as people skills.
- The course is designed to develop students’ conceptual skills and problem-solving ability.
- Her conceptual skills helped the company see how the separate projects connected.
Learner examples
- A good leader needs conceptual skills.
- The job requires strong conceptual skills.
conceptual understanding
1/kənsˈɛpt͡ʃuəl ˌʌndɚstˈændɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
Understanding underlying principles
real understanding of the main ideas behind a subject
Examples
- Good math teaching builds conceptual understanding, not just speed with formulas.
- The activity helps children develop a conceptual understanding of fractions.
- Students showed strong conceptual understanding in their explanations.
Learner examples
- I need a better conceptual understanding of grammar.
- The lesson helped my conceptual understanding.