intuitive
Americanadjective
-
perceiving directly by intuition without rational thought, as a person or the mind.
-
perceived by, resulting from, or involving intuition.
intuitive knowledge.
-
having or possessing intuition.
an intuitive person.
-
capable of being perceived or known by intuition.
-
easy to understand or operate without explicit instruction.
an intuitive design;
an intuitive interface.
adjective
-
resulting from intuition
an intuitive awareness
-
of, characterized by, or involving intuition
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing intuitive
100 Top "SAT" Words
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!
Positive Adjectives to Describe People
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!
Leadership Vocabulary
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.
The sophomore novel marked the arrival of an intuitive stylist gifted at polyphonic prose.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026
That makes intuitive sense, given that investors may be sad to see a successful CEO hand over the reins, and are more than happy to see a dud sent packing.
From Barron's • Apr. 10, 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
He’s one of the most intuitive captains out of anyone—he would have selected someone he could count on, experienced players who are ranked high.
From "Warcross" by Marie Lu
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.
