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emotional intelligence

American

[ih-moh-shuh-nl in-tel-i-juhns] / ɪˈmoʊ ʃə nl ɪnˈtɛl ɪ dʒəns /

noun

Psychology.

skill in perceiving, understanding, and managing emotions and feelings. EI

emotional intelligence British

noun

awareness of one's own emotions and moods and those of others, esp in managing people

"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

Etymology

Origin of emotional intelligence

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A lot of emotional intelligence is involved here.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026

Jobs that rely on emotional intelligence are also less exposed to AI disruption.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

It could tell the difference between a joke and a call for help, unlike newer models which, Ursie says, lack that emotional intelligence.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

Murati spent six years at OpenAI, where she earned a reputation for emotional intelligence and lack of ego, and was named interim CEO during the brief period when CEO Sam Altman was deposed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 21, 2026

No. I knew their emotional intelligence, their delicate minds so near my own.

From "Endangered" by Eliot Schrefer

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023