intellectualism

1 of 3

noun (1)

in·​tel·​lec·​tu·​al·​ism ˌin-tə-ˈlek-chə-wə-ˌli-zəm 

-chə-ˌli-, 

-shwə-ˌli-, 

-chü(-ə)-ˌli-

: devotion to the exercise of intellect or to intellectual pursuits

intellectualist

ˌin-tə-ˈlek-chə-wə-list 

-chə-list, 

-shwə-list, 

-chü(-ə)-list

noun or adjective

intellectualistic

ˌin-tə-ˌlek-chə-wə-ˈli-stik 

-chə-ˈli-, 

-shwə-ˈli-, 

-chü(-ə)-ˈli-

adjective

intellectualist

2 of 3

noun (2)

in·​tel·​lec·​tu·​al·​ist -lə̇st 

plural -s

1

: an adherent of the doctrine of intellectualism

2

: a person given to intellectualism

intellectualist

3 of 3

adjective

"

: intellectualistic

Examples of intellectualism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Fans of trivia like to say that caring so deeply about these facts at a time of disinformation and anti-intellectualism is an act of defiance—that picking up trivia is a way to keep knowledge from being disappeared. — Drew Goins, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026

The mix of academic-level intellectualism and gross-out outrageousness fits the mood Riley wants to conjure. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2026

For the designer, worldliness and intellectualism go hand in hand. — Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026

Jil Sander, with sophistication and new intellectualism, is one of the best collections of this season. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

intellectual entry 1 + -ist

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1800, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1857, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for intellectualism

• absolutism
• adventurism
• aestheticism
• africanism
• agnosticism
• alcoholism
• anachronism
• anglicanism
• antagonism
• arianism
• asceticism
• astigmatism