Make Your Point, Jr. > Words in ABC Order > perceive

Study the words PERCEIVE, PERCEPTIVE, & PERCEPTIBLE: (Source) To perceive something is to see it, hear it, notice it, or realize it. This word has Latin bits that mean "to completely take," which makes sense because when you perceive things, you take them fully into your mind. (Source: original photo) For example, if you go birdwatching, you'll keep still and quiet, so you can perceive any little chirping sounds, or any little flutter of wings. (Source) For another example, let's say you're staying in a hotel room, it's the middle of the night, and you get up to go to the bathroom. It's very dark, and it's hard for you to perceive where you are. It's hard to perceive where the bathroom door is. But after a minute or two, your eyes adjust to the dark, and it's easier for you to perceive the furniture, the walls, and the doors. Hopefully before you crash into them. (Source) If it's easy for you to perceive things, then you're perceptive: you pay attention, you listen closely, you see things that others don't. You have strong powers of perception. Perceptive people are very smart because they notice things that other people don't or because they see and understand things very deeply. (Source) The opposite is "imperceptive," or "unperceptive." (Both words are correct!) Imperceptive people don't notice much. You could paint their house a totally different color, and they wouldn't perceive the change. (Source) Let's look at one more related pair of words! "Perceptible" and "imperceptible." Perceptible things are noticeable: we can see, hear, notice, or realize them. You call something perceptible when you need to point out that although it's small or subtle, it's there, and it's enough to be noticed. This guy took a drug to regrow his hair. And it made a perceptible difference! That means it made a change that you can see or notice. He must be enjoying a perceptible boost in his self-confidence. (Source) The opposite of "perceptible" is "imperceptible." Imperceptible things are not noticeable. They're hard to see, hard to hear, or even hard to feel. You call something imperceptible when it's so small and so subtle that you can't even tell it's there. One of Nemo's fins is smaller than the other. But the difference is imperceptible. Most of the time, you can't even tell that one fin is smaller. (Source)   Make a flash card: You can write your own definition and choose your own picture, or copy mine. Term Definition Picture perceive to notice, or to observe with one or more of the senses   Write your own sentence! You can use either of the two ideas I'll suggest, or you can invent your own. Include as much detail as you can! (Source)   Write a sentence with a form of the word PERCEIVE: Remember: if you're perceiving something, you're noticing it and paying attention to it. Idea 1: "As soon as I perceived (some kind of delicious or terrible smell), I (reacted somehow with my face, hands, or body), (shouting or muttering) '(Something)!'" Idea 2: "My (specific friend or family member) is so perceptive; (he or she) can always tell if I'm (sad, upset, or frustrated)—and always knows when I need (something specific that will help me feel better)." You can type in here. When you're done, copy and paste your sentence wherever you'd like it to go.