intuitively

[in-too-i-tiv-lee, -tyoo-]

adverb

1. by means of direct perception, an instinctive inner sense, or gut feeling rather than rational thought.

   They’ve been married so long, they know intuitively how best to support each other.

2. in a way that is easy to understand or operate without explicit instruction.

   The website is an invaluable resource that is intuitively designed, making it a simple task to search for a suitable doctor.

Other Word Forms

• nonintuitively adverb
• quasi-intuitively adverb
• unintuitively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of intuitively¹

intuitive ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Of course, Michael intuitively realizes that new beginnings can be messy.

From Salon

We wanted Alicia Florrick, our lead, to have to rely on a character who was the exact opposite of her: a quirky and confused lawyer with no color sense who was intuitively brilliant.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s a more intellectual way of saying what I think I was doing intuitively all along.

From Los Angeles Times

As the Right’s best propagandists intuitively understand, much of the real persuasion happens before the policy debates even occur.

From Salon

I’m sure that has some effect, but they are pretty intuitively created.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• allegedly 
• ostensibly 
• possibly 
• probably 
• supposedly