What does "intelligent" mean?
A member of the intelligentsia; an intelligent person.
Intelligent
/ɪnˈtɛlɪd͡ʒənt/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A member of the intelligentsia; an intelligent person.
- Grammar: intelligent is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: able, acute, adaptive, adaptive practice.
- Useful contrasts: dim-bulb, dumb, obtuse.
- Usage evidence: It is not the strongest of the species that survives, not the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.
How to use "intelligent"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "intelligent" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "intelligent" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "intelligent" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "intelligent" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "intelligent" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "able" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "intelligent", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A member of the intelligentsia; an intelligent person.
"Now, as all intelligents are doomed to pass probationary states, it is highly probable that many intelligents, long antecedent to the foundation of our world, may have tarnished their innocence; or worse, many may have by disobedience fallen."
Adjective
- 1 Of high or especially quick cognitive capacity, bright.
"Anstruther laughed good-naturedly. “[…] I shall take out half a dozen intelligent maistries from our Press and get them to give our villagers instruction when they begin work and when they are in the fields.”"
- 2 Well thought-out, well considered.
"The engineer had a very intelligent design proposal for the new car."
- 3 Characterized by thoughtful interaction.
"My girlfriend and I had an intelligent conversation."
- 4 Having at least a similar level of brain power to humankind.
"The hunt for extraterrestrial intelligent life continues."
- 5 Having an environment-sensing automatically-invoked built-in computer capability.
"an intelligent network or keyboard"
Adjective
- 1 having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree wordnet
- 2 endowed with the capacity to reason wordnet
- 3 exercising or showing good judgment wordnet
- 4 possessing sound knowledge wordnet
Example
"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, not the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "intelligent"?
Common synonyms include: able, acute, adaptive, adaptive practice, adroit, advisable.
How do you use "intelligent" in a sentence?
It is not the strongest of the species that survives, not the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.
How do you pronounce "intelligent"?
Pronounced /ɪnˈtɛlɪd͡ʒənt/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle French intelligent, from Latin intellegēns (“discerning”), present active participle of intellegō (“understand, comprehend”), itself from inter (“between”) + legō (“choose, pick out, read”).
Etymology 2
Partly from Russian интеллиге́нт (intelligént) and partly from the adjective.