intelligence

American  

[in-tel-i-juhns] / ɪnˈtɛl ɪ dʒəns /

noun

1. the capacity, especially of a particular person or animal, for learning, reasoning, understanding, and similar forms of mental activity; relative aptitude in grasping truths, relationships, meanings, etc..

   I want my daughter’s teachers to nourish her intelligence and curiosity.

   Natasha was a chimpanzee of remarkable intelligence, a “genius” among her species.

2. the demonstration or application of a high mental capacity.

   He writes with intelligence and wit.

   Synonyms:

   penetration, aptitude, acumen, reason, discernment

   Antonyms:

   stupidity

3. the faculty of understanding, learning, or reasoning, considered generally.

   Are there hard limits to human intelligence?

   Some questions must be addressed not only with the intelligence but also with the heart.

4. a particular aspect of the ability to perceive, understand, learn, and handle problems, as used in a specified way, area of life, activity, etc..

   The study examined the effect of emotional intelligence on organizational learning.

   I have no mechanical intelligence whatsoever.

5. new or current knowledge or information, such as about specific events, conditions, trends, etc..

   Feeds from 26 mall cameras are analyzed to provide vendors with actionable intelligence about shopping patterns.

6. the gathering or distribution of information, especially secret information.

   I’ve decided to pursue a career in intelligence.

   His areas of focus include business intelligence, data management, and investment research.

7. Government.

   1. information about an enemy or a potential enemy.

      We now have new intelligence about terrorist activity in the country.

   2. the evaluated conclusions drawn from such information.

   3. an organization or agency engaged in gathering such information.

      She works for military intelligence.

8. interchange of information.

   They have been maintaining intelligence with foreign agents for years.

9. Christian Science. a fundamental attribute of God, or infinite Mind.

10. Often Intelligence an intelligent being or spirit, especially one without a physical body, such as an angel or Supreme Being.

    He believes there is a creative Intelligence behind the universe.

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intelligence British  

/ ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒəns /

noun

1. the capacity for understanding; ability to perceive and comprehend meaning

2. good mental capacity

   a person of intelligence

3. old-fashioned news; information

4. military information about enemies, spies, etc

5. a group or department that gathers or deals with such information

6. (often capital) an intelligent being, esp one that is not embodied

7. (modifier) of or relating to intelligence

   an intelligence network

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Related Words

See mind.

Other Word Forms

• hyperintelligence noun
• intelligential adjective
• nonintelligence noun
• preintelligence noun
• superintelligence noun

Etymology

Origin of intelligence

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin intelligentia, from intelligent- (stem of intellegēns intelligent ) + -ia, noun suffix

Explanation

Intelligence is your ability to comprehend something, like calculus or why plants grow toward the sun. Intelligence comes from the Latin word intelligere, "to understand," which makes sense because it refers to someone's ability to understand things. Your intelligence helps you pass math class and learn French. It means smarts — what you need at least some of to get through school. Intelligence has an exciting double life: it also refers to what spies are trying to get — information from the enemy. You can be born with it, or acquire it, especially if you're in the CIA.

Example Sentences

Economists say it is too early to determine the role of artificial intelligence, but expect it is helping.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

The discovery relied heavily on artificial intelligence to sort through a large group of molecules known as prohormones.

From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2026

They also relied on satellite intelligence and ice-monitoring technologies, some of which were being tested for the first time.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Block chief Jack Dorsey announced plans to cut the company's headcount nearly in half, citing "intelligence tools" that have fundamentally changed how companies operate.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

Trusting the American public’s intelligence, he concluded, “a mere fraud could not have lived so long and spread so widely.”

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Related Words

• acumen
• agility
• brilliance
• intellect
• judgment
• perception
• quickness
• savvy
• sense
• skill
• subtlety
• understanding
• wit