intellect
Americannoun
-
intellects
plural
-
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
-
capacity for thinking and acquiring knowledge, especially of a high or complex order; mental capacity.
-
a particular mind or intelligence, especially of a high order.
-
a person possessing a great capacity for thought and knowledge.
-
minds collectively, as of a number of persons or the persons themselves.
noun
-
the capacity for understanding, thinking, and reasoning, as distinct from feeling or wishing
-
a mind or intelligence, esp a brilliant one
his intellect is wasted on that job
-
informal a person possessing a brilliant mind; brain
-
those possessing the greatest mental power
the intellect of a nation
Synonym Usage
See mind.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of intellect
1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin intellēctus, equivalent to intelleg(ere) “to understand” + -tus suffix of verbal action; see intelligent
Explanation
Intellect is how much intelligence you have. Einstein was known for having a great intellect. Mickey Mouse's friend Goofy has almost no intellect to speak of. Intellect is the mental equivalent of athletic ability or fashion sense, so someone is an intellect if they have great intellectual ability just as an athlete is someone who has great athletic ability. Intellect is something everyone has in some degree. If someone talks down to you, it's an insult to your intellect. Your teacher might say you have a sharp intellect if you have the intellect to figure out difficult problems. An intellectual is a person who has a lot of knowledge and prefers to think about things on an abstract or theoretical level rather than a practical one.
Vocabulary lists containing intellect
"Ain't I a Woman?"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Steven P. Jobs, 1955-2011: The New York Times Obituary
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Selection Vocabulary 3, Unit 4
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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:
They were unethical and cruel — especially for a 16-year-old who placed such importance on identity and intellect.
From Salon ● Oct. 4, 2026
The term is often linked to the author and philosopher Nick Bostrom, who more than a decade ago defined the idea as an "intellect" that is superior to humans in all forms.
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026
Aksia, a research and advisory firm to institutions including pensions, family offices and sovereign-wealth funds, made note of Aschenbrenner’s intellect and network in a March 2025 assessment for clients after meeting with him.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
“The Wound Is Where the Light Enters” not only reveals the system’s horrors, but also celebrates the redemptive power of hope, intellect and community.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026
Thinking that freeing an island from U.S. control could be done with passion and intellect.
From "Bodega Dreams" by Ernesto Quinonez
You’ll begin to sense Becker and Fagen’s presence in the music, free-floating intellects winking behind their shades, welcoming you in without letting on that they’re glad you’re here.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2023
“I think it behooves us as public policymakers and public officeholders to extend our intellects as broadly as we can,” Mills said.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 13, 2023
Both owe their greatness, in part, to their intellects.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 2, 2023
Dr. Kimbrough said the schools reasserted themselves as the “original safe spaces” for Black students, cultivating both their intellects and their spirits.
From New York Times ● Jun. 11, 2022
It is an infiltration of intellects, an inflammation.
From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
