preconceived notion

Meaning

1. 1nouncountable

   A belief you already hold about something before you have properly looked at the facts, which may bias your judgment.

   Grammar: Often plural and often followed by about: preconceived notions about teenagers.

   Patterns

   • a preconceived notion about something
   • a preconceived notion that ...

   She arrived with a preconceived notion that the town would be dull.

   Try to put aside your preconceived notions and listen first.

   His preconceived notion about the new manager turned out to be wrong.

Word forms

Common combinations

challenge a preconceived notion

The documentary challenges the preconceived notion that farming is simple.

have preconceived notions

Many tourists have preconceived notions about the country.

shed preconceived notions

The course asks students to shed their preconceived notions of art.

without preconceived notions

Approach the data without preconceived notions.

break down preconceived notions

Travel can break down preconceived notions about other cultures.

Synonyms and how they differ

prejudice

Prejudice is stronger and usually unfair or hostile, while a preconceived notion may be mild and merely untested.

assumption

An assumption can be reasonable and temporary, but a preconceived notion suggests a fixed idea formed too early.

bias

Bias is a leaning that tilts judgment, whereas a preconceived notion is a specific idea held in advance.

stereotype

A stereotype is a simplified idea about a whole group, while a preconceived notion can be about anything.

Opposites

Word family

preconceive verb

to form an idea before knowing the facts

preconception noun

an idea formed in advance

conceive verb

to form an idea or plan in the mind

Commonly confused: preconceived notion or preconception?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “preconceived notion”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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