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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:

"When he performs, you can see there's an emotional intelligence and subtlety to what he's bringing to screen," he said.

From BBC Jul. 27, 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

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

From MarketWatch Apr. 28, 2026

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

From "Endangered" by Eliot Schrefer

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