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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.

“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

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

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

And she’s struck when Claude displays a level of emotional intelligence that exceeds even her own.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

AI "hasn't got that emotional intelligence that a human's got," he said.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 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