intuition
ihn-tyoo-IHSH-uhn
Intuition (noun) means an immediate understanding or feeling about something without conscious reasoning. Example: “Her intuition told her something was wrong before anyone said a word.”
noun
1
An immediate understanding or feeling about something without conscious reasoning.
"Her intuition told her something was wrong before anyone said a word."
"Trust your intuition when the numbers don't add up."
How to use intuition
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA gut feeling or instinct that guides you without you having to reason it out.
Common pairings
trust your intuition
gut intuition
a flash of intuition
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Word forms
- Plural
- intuitions
Fill the gap
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Her _____ told her something was wrong before anyone said a word.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin intuitiō, "a looking at, immediate cognition," from Latin intueor, "to look at, consider."
Related words
Rhymes for intuition
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for 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.
