intelligent
ihn-TEH-lihd-zhuhnt
Intelligent (adj) means having or showing a strong ability to learn, reason, and understand. Example: “The intelligent young crow solved the puzzle in under a minute.”
adj
1
Having or showing a strong ability to learn, reason, and understand.
"The intelligent young crow solved the puzzle in under a minute."
"She gave an intelligent answer that impressed the interviewers."
"Dolphins are considered highly intelligent animals."
How to use intelligent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishQuick-thinking, sharp, and good at understanding or reasoning things out.
Common pairings
highly intelligent
intelligent design
intelligent decision
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Word forms
- Plural
- intelligents
- Comparative
- more intelligent, intelligenter
- Superlative
- most intelligent, intelligentest
Fill the gap
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The _____ young crow solved the puzzle in under a minute.
Etymology
From Latin intellegens, "discerning, understanding," present participle of intellegere.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for intelligent
See all rhymes for intelligent →Frequently asked questions
What does “intelligent” mean?
The word “intelligent” means having or showing a strong ability to learn, reason, and understand. In plain terms, quick-thinking, sharp, and good at understanding or reasoning things out.
How do you pronounce “intelligent”?
“Intelligent” is pronounced ihn-TEH-lihd-zhuhnt (/ɪnˈtɛlɪd͡ʒənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “intelligent” in a sentence?
Here is “intelligent” used in a sentence: “She gave an intelligent answer that impressed the interviewers.”
What is another word for “intelligent”?
Words with a similar meaning to “intelligent” include astute, brainy, bright, brilliant, clever and educated.
What is the opposite of “intelligent”?
The opposite of “intelligent” — its antonyms — are stupid, dumb and unintelligent.
What part of speech is “intelligent”?
“Intelligent” is an adjective.
Where does the word “intelligent” come from?
The word “intelligent” comes from Latin. From Latin intellegens, "discerning, understanding," present participle of intellegere.
Is “intelligent” a common word?
“Intelligent” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between 'intelligent' and 'smart'?
Both describe mental ability, but 'intelligent' is more formal and emphasises the capacity to learn, reason, and understand, while 'smart' is more informal and can also mean quick-witted or shrewd. In everyday speech the two overlap heavily.
What is the difference between 'intelligent' and 'clever'?
'Intelligent' suggests a deep ability to reason and understand, while 'clever' often implies quick, practical ingenuity, sometimes with a hint of slyness. A clever solution is inventive; an intelligent one is well-reasoned.
What is the difference between 'intelligent' and 'wise'?
'Intelligent' refers to the ability to learn and reason, while 'wise' refers to good judgment gained through experience. An intelligent person can process information quickly, but a wise person knows how best to use it.
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