intelligentsia
Americanplural noun
noun
Etymology
Origin of intelligentsia
1905–10; < Russian intelligéntsia < Latin intelligentia intelligence
Explanation
These people are more than class presidents and valedictorians. They're more than super nerds. They're the intelligentsia, the intellectual superstars of society. This adjective for the big-brained elite kind of sounds like the mob — a very, very nerdy mob. It's true, the intelligentsia are the most erudite artists, writers, pundits and thinkers around. They all hang out together to trade brilliant ideas and debate the most heady issues of the day. And because no one else ever has any idea what they're talking about.
Vocabulary lists containing intelligentsia
Ender's Game
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Vocabulary of Soviet-Era Nostalgia & Cold War Spy Words
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Vocabulary Video Contest (2013) - List 2
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
It's simple, drip Intelligentsia, but it's served cold in a carafe alongside a glass packed with crushed ice, and, if you like, a smaller carafe of cream and a complementary slice of coffee cake.
From Salon • Jul. 24, 2023
Intelligentsia embraced instant coffee so much that in March of last year it transformed its Pasadena location — serving only instant espresso for all its drinks.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2023
In 2017, the Chicago-based chain Intelligentsia was bought by Peet’s Coffee; both were later absorbed by a German holding company that went public in 2020, valued at more than $13 billion.
From New York Times • Aug. 29, 2022
While the internet seized on what’s come to be known as the Great Oat Milk Shortage of 2018, Berg and the team at Intelligentsia were tasked with breaking the news to their loyal patrons.
From Slate • Jul. 20, 2021
The most repressive measures were taken against the Intelligentsia and all the liberal reforms which had been introduced were practically destroyed.
From Bolshevism The Enemy of Political and Industrial Democracy by Spargo, John
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.
