intellect

noun

in·​tel·​lect ˈin-tə-ˌlekt 

1

a

: the power of knowing as distinguished from the power to feel and to will : the capacity for knowledge

b

: the capacity for rational or intelligent thought especially when highly developed

2

: a person with great intellectual powers

Synonyms of intellect

• genius
• wizard
• brain
• thinker

Examples of intellect in a Sentence

She is a woman of superior intellect.

She has a sharp intellect.

We were required to read a book every week in order to develop our intellects.

music that appeals to the intellect while still satisfying the emotions

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead of kings and queens cunningly maneuvering their armies against their enemies, there’s only an ox of a man and a bald little boy, neither of whom exhibits a clearly superior intellect. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Jan. 2026

Salazar, who is out of minor-league options, is revered for his game calling and baseball intellect. —Chandler Rome, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026

We may be dazzled by feats of intellect, but knowledge is ultimately taken in through the body. —Dan Turello, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026

But gone are the days when those books were displayed to show off the intellect and interests of their owners — and with it, the pretense, at least, that their owners had read them. —Judith Martin, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin intellectus, from intellegere to understand — more at intelligent

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for intellect

• architect
• circumspect
• deselect
• dialect
• disconnect
• disinfect
• disrespect
• incorrect
• indirect
• interject
• intersect
• pluperfect

Kids Definition

intellect

noun

in·​tel·​lect ˈint-ᵊl-ˌekt 

1

a

: the power of knowing

b

: the capacity for thought especially when highly developed

2

: a person of notable intellect

Medical Definition

intellect

noun

in·​tel·​lect ˈint-ᵊl-ˌekt 

1

: the power of knowing as distinguished from the power to feel and to will : the capacity for knowledge

2

: the capacity for rational or intelligent thought

intellectual

ˌint-ᵊl-ˈek-ch(ə-w)əl, -ˈeksh-wəl 

adjective

intellectually adverb