Definition of 'perspective'

Word Frequency

perspective

(pəʳspektɪv )

Word forms: plural perspectives

1. countable noun

A particular perspective is a particular way of thinking about something, especially one that is influenced by your beliefs or experiences.

He says the death of his father 18 months ago has given him a new perspective on life. [+ on]

...two different perspectives on the nature of adolescent development.

Most literature on the subject of immigrants in France has been written from the perspective of the French themselves. [+ of]

I would like to offer a historical perspective.

Synonyms: outlook, attitude, context, angle More Synonyms of perspective

in perspective/into perspective/out of perspective

3. uncountable noun

Perspective is the art of making some objects or people in a picture look further away than others.

More Synonyms of perspective

Video: pronunciation of 'perspective'

Word Frequency

perspective in British

(pəˈspɛktɪv )

noun

a way of regarding situations, facts, etc, and judging their relative importance

the proper or accurate point of view or the ability to see it; objectivity

try to get some perspective on your troubles

the theory or art of suggesting three dimensions on a two-dimensional surface, in order to recreate the appearance and spatial relationships that objects or a scene in recession present to the eye

the appearance of objects, buildings, etc, relative to each other, as determined by their distance from the viewer, or the effects of this distance on their appearance

a view over some distance in space or time; vista; prospect

a picture showing perspective

Derived forms

perspectively (perˈspectively)

adverb

Word origin of 'perspective'

C14: from Medieval Latin perspectīva ars the science of optics, from Latin perspicere to inspect carefully, from per- (intensive) + specere to behold

Word Frequency

perspective in American

(pərˈspɛktɪv ; pərspekˈtiv)

adjective

of perspective

drawn in perspective

noun

the art of picturing objects or a scene in such a way, e.g., by converging lines (linear perspective), as to show them as they appear to the eye with reference to relative distance or depth

the appearance of objects or scenes as determined by their relative distance and positions

the effect of relative distance and position

the relationship or proportion of the parts of a whole, regarded from a particular standpoint or point in time

a specific point of view in understanding or judging things or events, esp. one that shows them in their true relations to one another

the ability to see things in a true relationship

a picture in perspective

a distant view; vista

Derived forms

perspectively (perˈspectively)

adverb

Word origin of 'perspective'

ME < LL perspectivus < L perspicere, to look through < per, through + specere, to look: see spy

Example sentences containing 'perspective'

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It put the game in a different perspective and was totally unfair. Times, Sunday Times (2017)Aerial photographs that offer new perspectives on our industrialised planet. Times, Sunday Times (2016)It can be approached from two different perspectives. Times, Sunday Times (2017)It was helpful to step back and get some perspective outside of the cycle of recording and touring. The Sun (2016)It offers a challenging perspective, but a touching one. The Sun (2016)He offers a unique perspective on American life. Times, Sunday Times (2016)And after all, this is a journey of new perspectives. The Sun (2016)Allowing documents to pile up a little until we get some perspective on them can help us be better organised in the long term. Times, Sunday Times (2017)Yet as narratives overlap and leaps in time are made, it is clear that we are being offered multiple perspectives and judgments. Times, Sunday Times (2016)No issues of perspective or distance to overcome there. Times, Sunday Times (2015)To understand you must find a different perspective. Times, Sunday Times (2016)We are trying to offer a new perspective. Times, Sunday Times (2009)When we understand our resources properly we can get a sound perspective on the job. Bethune, Helen Positive Parent Power (1991)Our church is excited to be reaching out to people from this perspective. Christianity Today (2000)Writing the book has given her a new perspective on life. Times, Sunday Times (2006)We wanted to give a unique perspective on the scene and what we do. The Sun (2012)Yet the brilliance and disciplined attack of the string playing give fresh perspectives. Times, Sunday Times (2014)This puts the campaign into a proper perspective. Times, Sunday Times (2008)But the course gave me a new perspective. The Sun (2013)One of the most outstanding frescoes from the point of view of perspective depth and narrative power. Jepson, Tim Umbria - the green heart of Italy (1989)Meditation can help you to gain distance and perspective. Times, Sunday Times (2010)This separation means that each eye sees the world from a slightly different perspective. Times, Sunday Times (2010)The book offers a new perspective on a familiar career. The Times Literary Supplement (2010)And that gives people a human perspective on that industry. Times, Sunday Times (2010)Perhaps it is this that has given him such a balanced perspective on life. Times, Sunday Times (2007)There is no need to wait for historical perspective to correct premature judgment. Times, Sunday Times (2013)This may be explained by the fact that their present theoretical perspective has major shortcomings which seriously weaken the abolitionist case. de Haan, Willem The Politics of Redress - crime, punishment and penal abolition (1989)Now a documentary film is about to offer a fuller perspective behind the scenes of the Met gala. Times, Sunday Times (2016)As you have discovered, now that you are seeing things from an adult perspective, your father is human. Times, Sunday Times (2008)