PERCEPTIVE definition: having or showing keenness of insight, understanding, or intuition. See examples of perceptive used in a sentence.

The meaning of PERCEPTIVE is responsive to sensory stimuli : discerning. How to use perceptive in a sentence.

PERCEPTIVE definition: 1. very good at noticing and understanding things that many people do not notice: 2. very good at…. Learn more.

Definition of perceptive adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Britannica Dictionary definition of PERCEPTIVE [more perceptive; most perceptive] : having or showing an ability to understand or notice something easily or quickly a perceptive …

1. Of or relating to perception: perceptive faculties. 2. a. Having the ability to perceive; keen in discernment. b. Marked by discernment and understanding; sensitive.

There are five meanings listed in OED's entry for the word perceptive, two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025 per•cep•tive /pɚˈsɛptɪv/ adj. having or showing perception: perceptive students who quickly saw what we were …

If someone calls you perceptive, they mean you are good at understanding things or figuring things out. Perceptive people are insightful, intelligent, and able to see what others cannot.

If you describe a person or their remarks or thoughts as perceptive, you think that they are good at noticing or realizing things, especially things that are not obvious.