intuitive

American  

[in-too-i-tiv, -tyoo-] / ɪnˈtu ɪ tɪv, -ˈtyu- /

adjective

1. perceiving directly by intuition without rational thought, as a person or the mind.

2. perceived by, resulting from, or involving intuition.

   intuitive knowledge.

   Synonyms:

   natural, inborn, innate

3. having or possessing intuition.

   an intuitive person.

4. capable of being perceived or known by intuition.

5. easy to understand or operate without explicit instruction.

   an intuitive design;

   an intuitive interface.

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intuitive British  

/ ɪnˈtjuːɪtɪv /

adjective

1. resulting from intuition

   an intuitive awareness

2. of, characterized by, or involving intuition

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Other Word Forms

• intuitively adverb
• intuitiveness noun
• nonintuitive adjective
• nonintuitiveness noun
• quasi-intuitive adjective
• unintuitive adjective

Etymology

Origin of intuitive

From the Medieval Latin word intuitīvus, dating back to 1585–95. See intuition, -ive

Explanation

If you're intuitive, you can probably guess what this word means just by looking at it. No? Maybe you're not so intuitive, after all. Intuitive means having the ability to understand or know something without any direct evidence or reasoning process. Psychics are intuitive. So are mothers when they know you're lying. A process can be said to be intuitive as well, if it can be easily learned without any prior training — like an easy-to-learn software program. In human beings, intuitiveness is often thought of as something more mystical, as in the ability psychics have to predict the future.

Example Sentences

The challenge of bringing a new piece of writing to life on the stage appeals to both hemispheres of his brain, the analytic and the intuitive sides.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

“Our task is clear: to provide the next generation of Americans with a world-class, intuitive platform to jumpstart their financial future,” Vlad Tenev, Robinhood’s chairman and chief executive, said in a statement.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

If designers understood the hurdles that users faced, they could reduce the friction between intention and action by making the machine intuitive to use.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026

Featuring an intuitive “one-click” interface consistent across all devices, it is ideal for both beginners and frequent travelers.

From Salon • Mar. 30, 2026

Born in 1871 to a handyman and his wife in New Zealand when it was a remote outpost of the British Empire, Rutherford became an intuitive theorist and the preeminent experimental physicist of his age.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Related Words

• emotional
• innate
• perceptive
• spontaneous
• visceral