perceive

/pəˈsiːv/ (bre, ipa) · /pərˈsiːv/ (ame, ipa) · /pər-ˈsēv/ (ame, mw)

perceive — verb

  • perceivepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • perceiveshe / she / it
  • perceivedpast simple
  • perceiving-ing form

1. to form a certain view of someone or something, or decide in your mind what they

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to form a certain view of someone or something, or decide in your mind what they are like

例句

Many voters perceive the new tax plan as unfair to small shops.

perceive + object + as + adjective

At first, Lena perceived Mr. Wu as cold because he spoke little.

同義詞
  • see

    is the everyday word and is less formal than perceive in this meaning

  • view

    is common for considered opinions, especially in public or social matters

  • regard

    is very close in meaning and strongly favors the pattern regard somebody as

  • consider

    can overlap, but it often means thinking carefully before deciding, which is different

文法句型

perceive somebody or something as + noun or adjective

be perceived as + noun or adjective

perceive that-clause

用法筆記

Often appears with as + noun or adjective, especially in the passive pattern be perceived as. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about interpretation or judgment, not direct awareness through sight, sound, or touch.

常見錯誤

❌Many parents perceive online games like a waste of time.
✅Many parents perceive online games as a waste of time.
💡use 'as', not 'like', before the judgment.
❌The plan is perceived unfair by local families.
✅The plan is perceived as unfair by local families.
💡the passive pattern needs 'as' before the description.

2. to pick up a sight, sound, smell, or other signal, especially one that is weak o

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

to pick up a sight, sound, smell, or other signal, especially one that is weak or easy to miss

例句

From the doorway, Mia perceived a weak smell of smoke upstairs.

perceive + sensory noun

In the dark, the guard perceived movement behind the garden wall.

同義詞
  • notice

    is the usual everyday word for becoming aware of something

  • detect

    suggests finding a very small sign and is common in technical contexts

  • sense

    can include physical or intuitive awareness, not only direct observation

  • observe

    often implies more deliberate watching than perceive does

反義詞
  • overlook

    means failing to notice something that is there

  • miss

    is the everyday opposite when a sign or detail is not noticed

文法句型

perceive something

perceive + noun + in + noun

perceive that-clause

perceive how + adjective clause

用法筆記

Common with faint signals such as movement, smell, tone, danger, or a small change. More formal than notice, see, or hear, and it often suggests awareness arriving from the senses rather than from later thought.

常見錯誤

❌At the station, Ken perceived that his wallet was gone.
✅At the station, Ken realized that his wallet was gone.
💡realize is better for understanding a fact after checking.
❌The dog perceived of a stranger near the gate.
✅The dog perceived a stranger near the gate.
💡perceive takes a direct object, not 'of'.