intelligence

noun

in·​tel·​li·​gence in-ˈte-lə-jən(t)s 

1

a

: the ability to learn or understand things or to deal with new or difficult situations : reason

studies of human and animal intelligence

a person of average intelligence

—Hannah Fry

b

: mental acuteness : cleverness

was impressed by the candidate's intelligence

… his flights of taste and his experimentation are based on intelligence, knowledge, and training, not on slapdash hits and misses …

—Fred Ferretti

Their vividly colored feathers and intelligence are a draw to those seeking a less conventional pet than a dog or cat.

—Hannah Fry

c

archaic : comprehension, knowledge

… she prepared to meet her lover's gaze—that gaze was altered, the lover her lover no longer. How sure and rapid is the intelligence of true affection!

—Catharine Maria Sedgwick

d

Christian Science : the basic eternal quality of divine Mind

2

a

old-fashioned : information, news

… the following intelligence will doubtless be highly gratifying to the friends of freedom …

—William Still

b

: information concerning an enemy or possible enemy

an intelligence operation

intelligence reports/sources

also : an agency engaged in obtaining such information

the head of army intelligence

3

: the ability to perform computer functions

4

a

: intelligent minds or mind

cosmic intelligence

b

: an intelligent person or being

… her mind naturally chose out the greater intelligences among those she encountered …

—George Eliot

especially : angel

The angelic intelligences who supervised the spheres …

—O. B. Hardison, Jr.

Synonyms of intelligence

• intellect
• sense

Examples of intelligence in a Sentence

She impressed us with her superior intelligence.

a person of average intelligence

gathering intelligence about a neighboring country's activities

Recent Examples on the Web

Key questions remain unresolved, including the legal basis for treating drug-trafficking vessels as military targets, the precise scope of Hegseth’s pre-mission directives, and whether any intelligence ever supported the original claim that the survivors were attempting to radio for backup. —MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025

The Helix team’s neural network provides the sophisticated intelligence required for the Figure 03 to execute complex, agile movements, such as running and quick turns. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Dec. 2025

The Queen's household is filled — or the King's household is filled — with former intelligence officials. —Wendy Naugle, USA Today, 5 Dec. 2025

Current information regarding Russia’s personnel losses is limited, but Western intelligence agencies estimate that the Kremlin has suffered over 1 million casualties, including more than 250,000 deaths, since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. —Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin intelligentia, from intelligent-, intelligens intelligent

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing intelligence

• artificial intelligence
• emotional intelligence
• generative artificial intelligence
• insult someone's intelligence
• intelligence quotient
• intelligence test

Rhymes for intelligence

• counterintelligence

Kids Definition

intelligence

noun

in·​tel·​li·​gence in-ˈtel-ə-jən(t)s 

1

: the ability to learn and understand or to deal with problems : reason

2

a

: news sense 1a

b

: information concerning an enemy or possible enemy

also : an agency engaged in obtaining such information

Medical Definition

intelligence

noun

in·​tel·​li·​gence in-ˈtel-ə-jən(t)s 

1

a

: the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations

b

: the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one's environment or to think abstractly as measured by objective criteria (as tests)

2

: mental acuteness

intelligent

in-ˈtel-ə-jənt 

adjective

intelligently adverb