conceptual

/kənˈseptʃuəl/ (bre, ipa) · /kənˈseptʃuəl/ (ame, ipa) · /kən-ˈsep-chə-wəl -chü-əl, kän-, -chəl, -shwəl/ (ame, mw)

conceptual — adjective

  • conceptualpositive
  • more conceptualcomparative
  • most conceptualsuperlative

1. relating to the general ideas or theories that form the basis of something, rath

1.形容詞B2
釋義

relating to the general ideas or theories that form the basis of something, rather than its practical or physical aspects

例句

The two theories share a conceptual framework that biologists use to study how species evolve.

collocation: conceptual framework

Ravi understood the physics calculations but struggled with the conceptual side of why objects move.

同義詞
  • theoretical

    broader — refers to abstract systems or principles, not just single concepts; 'conceptual' is more about the forming of specific ideas

  • abstract

    less structured — 'conceptual' implies an organized idea or concept, while 'abstract' can refer to anything non-concrete

  • ideational

    more technical and rare; used in psychology and philosophy for mental representations

反義詞
  • concrete

    opposite on the abstract–concrete spectrum; concrete things are tangible, specific, and physical

  • practical

    focused on real-world application and use rather than underlying ideas

文法句型

conceptual + noun

be + conceptual

用法筆記

Most common in attributive position, directly before the noun it modifies (conceptual framework, conceptual understanding). Less frequent in predicative use (the model is conceptual).

常見錯誤

❌I need a conceptual plan, not just theories.
✅I need a concrete plan, not just theories.
💡'conceptual' describes something based on ideas; 'concrete' describes something specific and practical.