26984 words

conceive

5 definitions • 10 examples
1
to imagine something:

Examples:

I think my uncle still conceives of me as a four-year-old.
He couldn't conceive of a time when he would have no job.
[ + question word ] I can't conceive (= it is too shocking to imagine) how anyone could behave so cruelly.
[ + that ] I find it hard to conceive (= it is too shocking to imagine) that people are still treated so badly.
2
to invent a plan or an idea:

Examples:

He conceived the plot for this film while he was still a student.
The exhibition was conceived by the museum's director.
3
to become pregnant, or to cause a baby to begin to form:

Examples:

Do you know exactly when you conceived?
The baby was conceived in March, so will be born in December.
4
to bring a thought or idea into being; imagine:

Examples:

[ I always + adv/prep ] When they talk about billions of dollars, I can’t even conceive of that much money.
[ + question word ] It’s hard to conceive what the world will be like a hundred years from now.
5
to become pregnant, or to cause a baby to begin to form

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