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
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the capacity for understanding, thinking, and reasoning, as distinct from feeling or wishing
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a mind or intelligence, esp a brilliant one
his intellect is wasted on that job
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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?"
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Steven P. Jobs, 1955-2011: The New York Times Obituary
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Selection Vocabulary 3, Unit 4
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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:
“We see AI as a tool that can support certain publishing workflows, but not as a replacement for authors, illustrators, publishing professionals or the human intellect and judgment that shape our books.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026
It added: "Ann was unafraid to express her unwavering convictions, formed through her Roman Catholic faith. She had a sharp intellect and was a dedicated public servant."
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 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
Vance’s public arrogance certainly suggests he believes himself equal to the former president in both intellect and charm.
From Salon ● Jul. 29, 2026
Every art book Mrs. Richardson consulted described her in glowing terms: a self-taught genius, a feminist photographic pioneer, a dynamic and generous intellect.
From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng
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 Bill had one of the largest intellects I have ever encountered. And, I have encountered many,” Strider wrote on Facebook.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 1, 2021
They are a development machine that employs some of the sport’s sharpest intellects.
From Washington Post ● Oct. 24, 2020
If that work is only accessible to somebody who doesn’t need $12,000 a year, then that keeps a whole spectrum of minds and voices and intellects out of the business.
From Slate ● Sep. 28, 2020
It is an infiltration of intellects, an inflammation.
From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas
Definitions 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.
