conceive
gb/kənsˈiv/ us/kənsˈiv/
B2
English
~ 3600
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
Form an idea or plan
To think of a new idea or plan in your mind.
Usage pattern:
to conceive [an idea/plan/project]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'conceive' with 'receive'; 'conceive' is about creating or imagining, not getting something from someone.
Synonyms
devise (Implies careful creation and planning of something, often more concrete.)
|
imagine (More general and can be about visualizing situations, not just creating plans.)
Antonyms
forget (To lose an idea from your mind, the opposite of forming one.)
|
ignore (To deliberately not think about or consider an idea.)
Collocations
conceive an idea
|conceive a plan
|conceive a project
|conceive a strategy
Themes
thinking
|creativity
|planning
|education
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She conceived a brilliant plan to improve the company's image.
- It's hard to conceive how they survived in such harsh conditions.
- The architect conceived the building as a blend of modern and traditional styles.
- He conceived the project after months of research.
Learner examples
- I conceived a new way to save money.
- She conceived a plan to help the poor.
- He conceived the idea while walking.
- We conceived a way to make the game better.
Verb
B2
event
2
Become pregnant
When a woman or female animal starts having a baby growing inside her body.
Usage pattern:
to conceive [a child/baby]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'conceive' (to become pregnant) with 'give birth' (to deliver a baby). The two refer to different stages.
Synonyms
become pregnant (More common everyday phrase for this biological process.)
Antonyms
miscarry (Lose a pregnancy before the baby can be born.)
|
remain childless (Not becoming pregnant over time.)
Collocations
conceive a child
|conceive naturally
|conceive through IVF
Themes
family
|health
|biology
|body
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They tried for years before she finally conceived.
- She conceived their first child at the age of 30.
- Some couples have difficulty conceiving naturally.
Learner examples
- She conceived after two years of trying.
- They want to conceive soon.
- The woman conceived last summer.
- It is hard for them to conceive.
Verb
C1
action
3
Understand mentally
To understand something, especially something hard to believe or imagine.
Usage pattern:
to conceive [that/how/what]
Common mistake:
Learners might misuse 'conceive' in everyday 'understand' contexts where it sounds too formal or literary.
Synonyms
comprehend (Neutral term for fully understanding something.)
|
grasp (Often implies effort in understanding.)
Antonyms
misunderstand (Fail to understand correctly.)
|
overlook (Fail to notice or think about something important.)
Collocations
conceive how
|conceive that
|can hardly conceive
Themes
thinking
|understanding
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I can't conceive how anyone could be so cruel.
- She could hardly conceive that he was telling the truth.
- It's difficult to conceive the scale of the disaster.
Learner examples
- I cannot conceive how he did it.
- She could not conceive that it was true.
- It is hard to conceive the size of the city.
- He cannot conceive why they left.
Grammar
Dictionary form
conceive
IPA
GB/kənsˈiv/
US/kənsˈiv/
Syllables & stress
con - ceive (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ceive)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: conceive
- 3rd Person Singular: conceives
- Present Participle: conceiving
- Past: conceived
Word family
Forms
conceives
verb
conceiving
verb
conceived
verb
Core family
Related words
misconception
noun B2
misconceive
verb
Negative and opposite forms
inconceivable
adjective C1
inconceivably
adverb
Advanced or less common
preconception
noun C1
preconceived
adjective
Expressions
conceive of
1/kənsˈiv əv/
phrasal verb
Imagine as possible or real
To think that something is possible or can exist.
Examples
- I can't conceive of living anywhere else.
- She could not conceive of him lying to her.