insight

[in-sahyt]

noun

1. an instance of apprehending the true nature of a thing, especially through intuitive understanding.

   an insight into 18th-century life.

2. penetrating mental vision or discernment; faculty of seeing into inner character or underlying truth.

   Synonyms: grasp, understanding, intuition, apprehension, perception

3. Psychology.

   1. an understanding of relationships that sheds light on or helps solve a problem.

   2. (in psychotherapy) the recognition of sources of emotional difficulty.

   3. an understanding of the motivational forces behind one's actions, thoughts, or behavior; self-knowledge.

insight

/ ˈɪnˌsaɪt /

noun

1. the ability to perceive clearly or deeply; penetration

2. a penetrating and often sudden understanding, as of a complex situation or problem

3. psychol

   1. the capacity for understanding one's own or another's mental processes

   2. the immediate understanding of the significance of an event or action

4. psychiatry the ability to understand one's own problems, sometimes used to distinguish between psychotic and neurotic disorders

Other Word Forms

• insightful adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of insight¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English; in- ¹ ( def. ) + sight ( def. )

Example Sentences

Find insight on Porsche, Ferrari, Thai Stanley Electric and more in the latest Market Talks covering the auto and transport sector..

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The majority of Americans are embracing new tools to navigate the housing market, with 82% using AI for real estate insights.

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Scoops, analysis and insights driving Washington from the WSJ's D.C. bureau.

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“Microsoft works with advisors from a range of industries and is thankful for their expertise and insights,” a company spokesperson said.

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The plan also calls for reallocating resources by optimizing labor and operating hours, partnering more closely with franchisees to boost profitability and leveraging insights from company-operated restaurants.

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Related Words

• acumen 
• intuition 
• judgment 
• observation 
• understanding 
• vision 
• wisdom