conceive
Form or devise an original idea or plan
Examples
In a meeting
“She conceived a novel approach to customer onboarding that reduced churn by 30%.”
Over coffee
“I can't even conceive of a vacation right now with everything going on.”
Why this word
imagine
conceive implies forming an idea or plan with purpose and structure, while imagine is more about picturing possibilities
think
conceive emphasizes the creative origin of an idea, while think is general mental activity
create
conceive focuses on the initial mental formation, while create encompasses the entire making process
Usage tip
Use when emphasizing originality or the mental act of creating something new, especially abstract concepts.
Etymology
Latin 'concipere' (to take in, conceive), from 'com-' (together) + 'capere' (to take)
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Related words
incubate
Develop ideas or projects gradually through nurturing conditions
prototype
Create an early working model to test concepts
revolutionize
Transform something fundamentally and dramatically
pioneer
Be among the first to develop or apply something new
envision
Imagine a future state or possibility with clarity
conjure
Create or bring forth something seemingly from nothing