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intellectualism

[ in-tl-ek-choo-uh-liz-uhm ]
/ ˌɪn tlˈɛk tʃu əˌlɪz əm /
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noun
devotion to intellectual pursuits.
the exercise of the intellect.
excessive emphasis on abstract or intellectual matters, especially with a lack of proper consideration for emotions.
Philosophy.
  1. the doctrine that knowledge is wholly or chiefly derived from pure reason.
  2. the belief that reason is the final principle of reality.
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Origin of intellectualism

First recorded in 1820–30; intellectual + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM intellectualism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use intellectualism in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for intellectualism

intellectualism
/ (ˌɪntɪˈlɛktʃʊəˌlɪzəm) /
noun
development and exercise of the intellect
the placing of excessive value on the intellect, esp with disregard for the emotions
philosophy
  1. the doctrine that reason is the ultimate criterion of knowledge
  2. the doctrine that deliberate action is consequent on a process of conscious or subconscious reasoning

Derived forms of intellectualism

intellectualist, noun, adjectiveintellectualistic, adjectiveintellectualistically, adverb
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
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