preconception.

An idea or belief formed before enough direct experience or evidence is available.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• challenge a preconception
• inherited preconceptions

On the page

Fieldwork challenged her preconception that every village used the same system.

Usage notes

Primary category: analysis / argumentation / evidence. Forms: Singular preconception; plural preconceptions. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Writing functions: interpretation, character. Commonness: moderately common.