Anglais

conceive

gb/kənsˈiv/ us/kənsˈiv/
B2 Anglais
~ 3600
Sens
0 sens
Verbe B2 action
1

Form an idea or plan

To think of a new idea or plan in your mind.

Schéma d’usage : to conceive [an idea/plan/project]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'conceive' with 'receive'; 'conceive' is about creating or imagining, not getting something from someone.
Synonymes
devise (Implies careful creation and planning of something, often more concrete.) | imagine (More general and can be about visualizing situations, not just creating plans.)
Antonymes
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
Thèmes
thinking |creativity |planning |education |communication |core_vocabulary
Exemples
  • 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
  • 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.
Verbe B2 event
2

Become pregnant

When a woman or female animal starts having a baby growing inside her body.

Schéma d’usage : to conceive [a child/baby]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may confuse 'conceive' (to become pregnant) with 'give birth' (to deliver a baby). The two refer to different stages.
Synonymes
become pregnant (More common everyday phrase for this biological process.)
Antonymes
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
Thèmes
family |health |biology |body |core_vocabulary
Exemples
  • They tried for years before she finally conceived.
  • She conceived their first child at the age of 30.
  • Some couples have difficulty conceiving naturally.
Exemples pédagogiques
  • She conceived after two years of trying.
  • They want to conceive soon.
  • The woman conceived last summer.
  • It is hard for them to conceive.
Verbe C1 action
3

Understand mentally

To understand something, especially something hard to believe or imagine.

Schéma d’usage : to conceive [that/how/what]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners might misuse 'conceive' in everyday 'understand' contexts where it sounds too formal or literary.
Synonymes
comprehend (Neutral term for fully understanding something.) | grasp (Often implies effort in understanding.)
Antonymes
misunderstand (Fail to understand correctly.) | overlook (Fail to notice or think about something important.)
Collocations
conceive how |conceive that |can hardly conceive
Thèmes
thinking |understanding |education |core_vocabulary
Exemples
  • 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
  • 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.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
conceive
API
GB/kənsˈiv/
US/kənsˈiv/
Syllabes et accentuation
con - ceive (2 syllabes)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ceive)
Formes du mot
Verb
  • Base: conceive
  • 3rd Person Singular: conceives
  • Present Participle: conceiving
  • Past: conceived
Famille de mots
Forms
conceives verb conceiving verb conceived verb
Core family
conception noun B2 conceivable adjective C1 conceivably adverb
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.

Exemples
  • I can't conceive of living anywhere else.
  • She could not conceive of him lying to her.

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