intellectual
appealing to or engaging the intellect: intellectual pursuits.
of or relating to the intellect or its use: intellectual powers.
possessing or showing intellect or mental capacity, especially to a high degree: an intellectual person.
guided or developed by or relying on the intellect rather than upon emotions or feelings; rational.
characterized by or suggesting a predominance of intellect:an intellectual way of speaking.
a person of superior intellect.
a person who places a high value on or pursues things of interest to the intellect or the more complex forms and fields of knowledge, as aesthetic or philosophical matters, especially on an abstract and general level.
an extremely rational person; a person who relies on intellect rather than on emotions or feelings.
a person professionally engaged in mental labor, as a writer or teacher.
intellectuals, Archaic.
the mental faculties.
things pertaining to the intellect.
Origin of intellectual
1synonym study For intellectual
Other words for intellectual
Other words from intellectual
- in·tel·lec·tu·al·ly, adverb
- in·tel·lec·tu·al·ness, noun
- half-in·tel·lec·tu·al, adjective
- half-in·tel·lec·tu·al·ly, adverb
- hy·per·in·tel·lec·tu·al, adjective
- hy·per·in·tel·lec·tu·al·ly, adverb
- hy·per·in·tel·lec·tu·al·ness, noun
- non·in·tel·lec·tu·al, adjective, noun
- non·in·tel·lec·tu·al·ly, adverb
- non·in·tel·lec·tu·al·ness, noun
- o·ver·in·tel·lec·tu·al, adjective
- o·ver·in·tel·lec·tu·al·ly, adverb
- o·ver·in·tel·lec·tu·al·ness, noun
- pre·in·tel·lec·tu·al, adjective
- pre·in·tel·lec·tu·al·ly, adverb
- qua·si-in·tel·lec·tu·al, adjective
- qua·si-in·tel·lec·tu·al·ly, adverb
- sem·i-in·tel·lec·tu·al, adjective, noun
- sem·i-in·tel·lec·tu·al·ly, adverb
- su·per·in·tel·lec·tu·al, adjective, noun
- su·per·in·tel·lec·tu·al·ly, adverb
- un·in·tel·lec·tu·al, adjective
- un·in·tel·lec·tu·al·ly, adverb
Words that may be confused with intellectual
- intelligent, intellectual (see synonym study at intelligent)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use intellectual in a sentence
Perlman previously worked at Classic Media, a private equity company that has intellectual property and film rights that’s now owned by DreamWorks Studios.
‘Valuations had shifted’: What a private equity acquisition means for legacy media | Kayleigh Barber | November 19, 2020 | DigidayGeneral relativity was an unprecedented intellectual feat—but it didn’t make everything relative, as Mach had dreamed.
When Einstein Tilted at Windmills - Issue 93: Forerunners | Amanda Gefter | November 18, 2020 | NautilusShe contrasts the intellectual output of private AI labs with that of pharmaceutical companies, for example, which invest billions in drugs and keep much of the work behind closed doors.
“He has been confined to the house, and he doesn’t understand why he can’t go to the places he usually goes,” said Kinney, adding that her son also has an intellectual disability.
A teen with autism lost motivation for his walks to the post office. So strangers are sending cards to his P.O. Box. | Sydney Page | November 11, 2020 | Washington PostThe lifestyle Martin advocated for — renouncing the world and all its political and intellectual concerns — can seem outlandish and even irresponsible at a time when so much feels so urgent.
After the 2016 election, Agnes Martin's paintings gave me solace. This time, they're still an escape. | Kelsey Ables | November 8, 2020 | Washington Post
But they are probably more intellectually honest—more willing to call their own team for BS—than most political commentators.
Or, if your show is about ideas, then I think it has to be intellectually stimulating first.
But Alexander is far more intellectually sophisticated, and frankly more reverent.
The second was Marach Agha, 22; according to the Army, Agha may have been deaf or intellectually disabled.
‘Kill Team’: The Documentary the Army Doesn’t Want You to See | Andrew Romano | July 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWhen we did the studio visit I was just really blown away by her personally, intellectually and the work itself.
Impersonation may be more easily achieved intellectually, requiring only keen observation and the power of imitation.
Expressive Voice Culture | Jessie Eldridge SouthwickSomething within him wanted to go, something that was perhaps intellectually curious.
Bella Donna | Robert HichensMr. Nugent was a small man, that is physically, but intellectually was well endowed.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland | Joseph TatlowIntellectually and artistically, Tchaikovsky profited little by this journey.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky | Modeste TchaikovskyIntellectually she is quite sound, but has a treacherous memory, and is very nervous.
A Statistical Inquiry Into the Nature and Treatment of Epilepsy | Alexander Hughes Bennett
British Dictionary definitions for intellectual
/ (ˌɪntɪˈlɛktʃʊəl) /
of or relating to the intellect, as opposed to the emotions
appealing to or characteristic of people with a developed intellect: intellectual literature
expressing or enjoying mental activity
a person who enjoys mental activity and has highly developed tastes in art, literature, etc
a person who uses or works with his intellect
a highly intelligent person
Derived forms of intellectual
- intellectuality or intellectualness, noun
- intellectually, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for intellectual
A person who engages in academic study or critical evaluation of ideas and issues. (See intelligentsia.)
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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