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

“Something that everybody experienced were shortages and panic during the pandemic. And intuitively, Americans know that if you produce something here, that’s less likely to happen,” Paul said.

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“Art was added intuitively, based on where it felt right in the landscape. Over time, that spontaneity evolved into something more intentional,” she says.

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

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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.

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

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Related Words

• allegedly 
• ostensibly 
• possibly 
• probably 
• supposedly