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conceptional

/kənˈsɛpʃənəl/
IPA guide

Conceptional describes an idea or the process of coming up with that idea. If you and your brother are just brainstorming about what your new business should sell, your enterprise is still in the conceptional stage.

Conceptional is an uncommon, rarely used adjective that's sometimes used synonymously with the much more common and generally preferable conceptual: Both words have to do with thinking and concepts, or ideas, but conceptional is often more focused on the conception — origin, or beginnings — of an idea. The word conceptional is more commonly used in the medical world to reference the age of an embryo during pregnancy, from the time of conception. The Latin root of this word is concipere, "to take in and hold."

Definitions of conceptional
  1. adjective
    being of the nature of a notion or general idea
    “a plan abstract and conceptional
    synonyms: ideational, notional
    abstract
    existing only in the mind; separated from embodiment
  2. adjective
    related to the beginning of something, especially pregnancy
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘conceptional'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Commonly confused words

conceptional / conceptual / contextual

If something is conceptual, it has to do with underlying ideas or thoughts, while the meaning of something contextual depends on its specific situation or circumstances. And then there's the less encountered conceptional that relates to the realm of ideas as well biology...

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