intellect

[in-tl-ekt]

noun

1. the power or faculty of the mind by which one knows or understands, as distinguished from that by which one feels and that by which one wills; the understanding; the faculty of thinking and acquiring knowledge.

   Synonyms: common sense, sense, reason

2. capacity for thinking and acquiring knowledge, especially of a high or complex order; mental capacity.

3. a particular mind or intelligence, especially of a high order.

4. a person possessing a great capacity for thought and knowledge.

5. minds collectively, as of a number of persons or the persons themselves.

intellect

/ ˈɪntɪˌlɛkt /

noun

1. the capacity for understanding, thinking, and reasoning, as distinct from feeling or wishing

2. a mind or intelligence, esp a brilliant one

   his intellect is wasted on that job

3. informal,  a person possessing a brilliant mind; brain

4. those possessing the greatest mental power

   the intellect of a nation

Other Word Forms

• intellective adjective
• intellectively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of intellect¹

1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin intellēctus, equivalent to intelleg(ere) “to understand” + -tus suffix of verbal action; intelligent

Word History and Origins

Origin of intellect¹

C14: from Latin intellectus comprehension, intellect, from intellegere to understand; see _intelligence

Synonym Study

See mind.

Example Sentences

Mina Rzouki added: "His intellect is on another level, his sacrifice for the team is on another level."

Read more on BBC

“During his years at Crystal, Daniel was known not only for his extraordinary intellect and chess mastery, but also for his warmth, humility, and kindness,” Sortino wrote in an emailed statement.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

She praised Agnes for her intellect and encouraged her to be ambitious.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But Mr. Abeysekera’s lively turn makes Hamlet’s death feel that much more piteous—a young man of limitless intellect and energies cut down before his life has properly begun.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

I watched helplessly in the early 1990s as dementia consumed the fierce intellect that defined my grandmother.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• ability 
• acumen 
• genius 
• intelligence 
• intuition 
• judgment 
• savvy