emotional intelligence

noun

: the ability to recognize, understand, and deal skillfully with one's own emotions and the emotions of others (as by regulating one's emotions or by showing empathy and good judgment in social interactions)

A large part of emotional intelligence is being able to think about and empathize with how other people are feeling. This often involves considering how you would respond if you were in the same situation.

—Kendra Cherry

We know that young children learn to identify, explain, and regulate their emotions, but we know much less about how children learn these things. They undoubtedly acquire some of their emotional intelligence from adults–—parents, teachers, and coaches, for example.

—Lawrence T. White

… thousands of workers during the "Great Resignation" discovered a new road map to success: being able to recognize and walk away from abusive situations. … Empathy, respectfulness and emotional intelligence are hallmarks of leaders for whom people enjoy working.

—Karla L. Miller

—abbreviation EI

called also emotional quotient

Examples of emotional intelligence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Gray comments come as businesses place more importance on emotional intelligence, or EQ, a skill increasingly seen as essential for executives. —Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025

This emotional intelligence becomes exponentially more valuable as AI handles routine data crunching. —Jennifer Kamara, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

This approach, grounded in neuroscience, emphasizes emotional intelligence and compassion as essential for creating safe, high-performing cultures. —Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025

Speak about the skills businesses value most, adaptability, creativity, emotional intelligence and support programs that teach them alongside academics. —Elan Gepner-Dales, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1978, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for emotional intelligence

• counterintelligence