intelligence
Americannoun
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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.
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the demonstration or application of a high mental capacity.
He writes with intelligence and wit.
- Synonyms:
- penetration, aptitude, acumen, reason, discernment
- Antonyms:
- stupidity
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Government.
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information about an enemy or a potential enemy.
We now have new intelligence about terrorist activity in the country.
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the evaluated conclusions drawn from such information.
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an organization or agency engaged in gathering such information.
She works for military intelligence.
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interchange of information.
They have been maintaining intelligence with foreign agents for years.
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Christian Science. a fundamental attribute of God, or infinite Mind.
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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.
noun
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the capacity for understanding; ability to perceive and comprehend meaning
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good mental capacity
a person of intelligence
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old-fashioned news; information
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military information about enemies, spies, etc
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a group or department that gathers or deals with such information
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(often capital) an intelligent being, esp one that is not embodied
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(modifier) of or relating to intelligence
an intelligence network
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
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.
Much of their work is focused on efficiency, integration and intelligence.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026
In February, it acquired xAI, the startup created by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to develop artificial intelligence, including the chatbot Grok.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026
“Navigation through the Hormuz Strait requires you to follow a certain route,” says Yossi Kuperwasser, former head of Israeli military intelligence research and now director of think tank Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026
The US's military budget now makes up some 62% percent of Nato's total defence spending and the Pentagon has assets and intelligence capabilities others still can't match.
From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026
Penkovsky, a colonel in Soviet military intelligence, was offering to share the Soviet Union’s most guarded military secrets with the Americans and the British.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
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.
