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emotional intelligence

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

noun

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


emotional intelligence British  

noun

  1. 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.

See Examples For:

Human advisers argue that no matter how seamlessly a platform connects to a chatbot, an AI agent cannot replicate the personal relationships, nuance and emotional intelligence of a human, especially during times of hardship.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 2026

Well, it made me so aware of Lorne’s emotional intelligence.

From Salon ● Jul. 5, 2026

“Her work was known for its emotional intelligence, rhythm, and humanity — a rare ability to find the truth of a scene and bring heart, momentum, and clarity to the screen.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2026

Chelsea are keen to learn lessons from this season and have been impressed by Alonso's knowledge, leadership, emotional intelligence and values.

From BBC ● May 16, 2026

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

From "Endangered" by Eliot Schrefer

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