Cognitive
/ˈkɒɡnɪtɪv/
Definitions
Of or relating to the mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.
/ˈkɒɡnɪtɪv/
Relating to cognition
He suffers from cognitive impairment.
💡 Simply: It's about how your brain works – learning, remembering, thinking, and understanding things. Like when you solve a puzzle, that's using your cognitive skills!
👶 For kids: How your brain thinks and learns.
More Examples
The test measured cognitive abilities.
How It's Used
"Cognitive psychology explores the mental processes involved in learning."
"Cognitive neuroscience studies the biological basis of cognition."
From Latin *cognitīvus, from *cognitus, past participle of cognoscere "to know, learn".
The word 'cognitive' has gained prominence in the 20th and 21st centuries with the rise of cognitive science.
Memory tip
Think 'cognizant' – being aware; cognitive relates to the process of knowing.
Word Origin
"to know"