intelligence

American  

[in-tel-i-juhns] / ɪnˈtɛl ɪ dʒəns /

noun

• intelligence
  plural

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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Synonym Usage

See mind.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• intelligence
  plural

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

See Examples For:

intelligence

He invited his followers to vote in a poll he created for how to title artificial intelligence.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 19, 2026

The companies are turning to artificial intelligence to cut costs.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026

And he was attending King Charles III’s AI summit in Scotland where he cautioned against conflating the technology of artificial intelligence with a specific AI product.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 19, 2026

Over the past few weeks, an Anthropic researcher resigned after warning that the people racing to build advanced artificial intelligence could wipe out humanity by the end of the decade.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026

But if Kissinger did not exactly relish the president’s company, he did come to admire Nixon’s intelligence, and his willingness to make bold moves.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

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