intuition
6 synonyms and 1 antonym for intuition, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An immediate understanding or feeling about something without conscious reasoning.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use intuition
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
trust your intuition
gut intuition
a flash of intuition
Etymology
From Medieval Latin intuitiō, "a looking at, immediate cognition," from Latin intueor, "to look at, consider."
Full origin of intuition →Frequently asked questions
What does “intuition” mean?
The word “intuition” means an immediate understanding or feeling about something without conscious reasoning. In plain terms, a gut feeling or instinct that guides you without you having to reason it out.
How do you pronounce “intuition”?
“Intuition” is pronounced ihn-tyoo-IHSH-uhn (/ˌɪn.tuˈɪʃ.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “intuition” in a sentence?
Here is “intuition” used in a sentence: “Her intuition told her something was wrong before anyone said a word.”
What part of speech is “intuition”?
“Intuition” is a noun.
Where does the word “intuition” come from?
The word “intuition” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin intuitiō, "a looking at, immediate cognition," from Latin intueor, "to look at, consider.".
Is “intuition” a common word?
“Intuition” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between intuition and instinct?
Intuition refers to an immediate understanding or feeling about something without conscious reasoning, often drawing on past experience or subtle cues a person can't fully explain. Instinct usually refers to an innate, automatic response present from birth, such as an animal's instinct to flee danger. Intuition is generally seen as a learned or developed sense, while instinct is inborn.
What is the difference between intuition and reasoning?
Intuition is an immediate, non-conscious understanding that arrives without deliberate thought, while reasoning is a step-by-step conscious process of working through evidence or logic to reach a conclusion. People often use intuition first and reasoning afterward to justify or check the intuitive judgment.
Can you trust your intuition when making decisions?
Intuition can be a useful guide, especially in areas where a person has deep experience, because it draws on patterns the conscious mind hasn't fully articulated. However, because it bypasses conscious reasoning, it can also be mistaken, so many decisions benefit from checking intuition against evidence or careful thought.
