imperceptive
|im-per-cep-tive|
🇺🇸
/ˌɪmpɚˈsɛptɪv/
🇬🇧
/ˌɪmpəˈsɛptɪv/
not noticing / not perceivable
Etymology
'imperceptive' originates from Latin and English elements: the negative prefix 'in-' (later assimilated to 'im-') from Latin meaning 'not', combined with 'perceptive' from Latin 'perceptivus' (related to 'percipere'). 'Percipere' meant 'to take hold of, perceive'.
'imperceptive' developed by adding the negative prefix 'in-/im-' to the adjective 'perceptive' (from Latin 'perceptivus' via Middle English), producing a modern English adjective meaning 'not perceptive' or 'not perceptible'.
Initially related forms (from Latin) meant 'able to perceive' or 'relating to perception'; with the negative prefix the modern word came to mean 'not perceptive' (and secondarily 'not perceptible').
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
lacking in perceptiveness; unobservant or slow to notice or understand subtle details.
An imperceptive manager failed to notice the team's declining morale.
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Adjective 2
(Not common) Not perceptible; difficult or impossible to detect by the senses.
The change was so imperceptive that most people did not notice it.
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Last updated: 2025/12/21 23:10