intellectual
ihn-tuh-LEHKT-shoorl
Intellectual (adj) means relating to the ability to think and reason, rather than to emotions or physical skill. Example: “The debate club offered great intellectual stimulation.”
adj
1
Relating to the ability to think and reason, rather than to emotions or physical skill.
"The debate club offered great intellectual stimulation."
"She enjoyed the intellectual challenge of learning a new language."
"He preferred intellectual pursuits such as chess and reading to team sports."
noun
1
A person who engages seriously with ideas, learning, or scholarly matters.
"The café was a popular meeting spot for local intellectuals."
"The novelist was seen as a leading intellectual of her generation."
"Intellectuals gathered at the university to discuss the new philosophy book."
How to use intellectual
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo do with serious thinking and ideas, or a person known for engaging deeply with ideas.
Common pairings
intellectual property
intellectual curiosity
a leading intellectual
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Word forms
- Plural
- intellectuals
- Comparative
- more intellectual
- Superlative
- most intellectual
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The debate club offered great _____ stimulation.
Etymology
From Latin intellectualis, based on intellectus, "understanding."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for intellectual
See all rhymes for intellectual →Frequently asked questions
What does “intellectual” mean?
The word “intellectual” means relating to the ability to think and reason, rather than to emotions or physical skill. In plain terms, to do with serious thinking and ideas, or a person known for engaging deeply with ideas.
How do you pronounce “intellectual”?
“Intellectual” is pronounced ihn-tuh-LEHKT-shoorl (/ˌɪntəˈlɛkt͡ʃʊəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “intellectual” in a sentence?
Here is “intellectual” used in a sentence: “The debate club offered great intellectual stimulation.”
What is another word for “intellectual”?
Words with a similar meaning to “intellectual” include cerebral, logical, mental and rational.
What is the opposite of “intellectual”?
The opposite of “intellectual” — its antonyms — are nonintellectual and visceral.
What part of speech is “intellectual”?
Depending on how it is used, “intellectual” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “intellectual” come from?
The word “intellectual” comes from Latin. From Latin intellectualis, based on intellectus, "understanding.".
Is “intellectual” a common word?
“Intellectual” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between "intellectual" and "intelligent"?
"Intelligent" describes someone with a high ability to learn, understand, and reason. "Intellectual" describes a focus on ideas, thinking, and scholarly matters, so an intellectual person is deeply engaged with serious ideas, while an intelligent person is simply mentally able. Someone can be intelligent without being an intellectual.
What is the difference between "intellectual" and "academic"?
"Academic" relates specifically to education, schools, and universities, or to theoretical rather than practical concerns. "Intellectual" is broader, describing serious engagement with ideas and learning that need not be tied to a formal institution.
What are common collocations with "intellectual"?
Frequent phrases include "intellectual property," "intellectual curiosity," "intellectual pursuits," "intellectual honesty," and "public intellectual." As an adjective it also pairs with "intellectual ability" and "intellectual challenge."
When is "intellectual" a noun rather than an adjective?
"Intellectual" is a noun when it names a person who engages seriously with ideas, learning, or scholarly matters, as in "a leading intellectual." It is an adjective when it describes thinking or reasoning, as in "intellectual work."
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