intellectual

adjective in·tel·lec·tu·al \ ˌin-tə-ˈlek-chə-wəl , -chəl , -shwəl , -chü(-ə)l \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

Definition of intellectual

1 a : of or relating to the intellect or its use

b : developed or chiefly guided by the intellect rather than by emotion or experience : rational

c : requiring use of the intellect

intellectual games

2 a : given to study, reflection, and speculation

b : engaged in activity requiring the creative use of the intellect

intellectual playwrights

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intellectuality

play \ˌin-tə-ˌlek-chə-ˈwa-lə-tē\ noun

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intellectually

play \ˌin-tə-ˈlek-chə-wə-lē, -chə-lē, -shwə-lē, -chü(-ə)-lē\ adverb

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intellectualness

play \ˌin-tə-ˈlek-chə-wəl-nəs, -chəl-, -shwəl-, -chü(-ə)l-\ noun

See intellectual defined for English-language learners

See intellectual defined for kids

Examples of intellectual in a Sentence

the social and intellectual life of the campus
as the daughter of college professors, she's used to being around intellectual people

Recent Examples of intellectual from the Web

Taken together, all this amounted to a tremendous intellectual and political effort to shift the political culture toward support for the interests of the very wealthy.

— kim phillips-fein, The New Republic, "The 200-year legal struggle that led to Citizens United and gave corporations the rights of people," 29 Mar. 2018
Phillies manager Gabe Kapler calls him an intellectual.

— matt breen, Philly.com, "Sam Fuld: The man who helps Phillies players put analytics to use," 27 Mar. 2018
Garfield is a talented and determined actor, taking on varied roles with intellectual and physical rigor.

— richard lawson, Vanities, "Review: Angels in America Returns to Broadway in All Its Triumph and Tragedy," 26 Mar. 2018
Graves and her sister Emily founded a Best Buddies chapter at Elgin to help build one-to-one friendships between students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities.

— c.r. walker, Elgin Courier-News, "A keeper at sweeper: Kylie Graves inspired by brother to form Best Buddies chapter at Elgin," 23 Mar. 2018
Students in grades 8 through 12 will receive critical thinking training within AGUILA curriculum as an important skill contributing to their intellectual and personal growth that will lead to greater academic and personal success.

— grace palmieri, azcentral, "Season for Sharing awards grants to 153 Arizona non-profits," 15 Mar. 2018
The center opened in 1959 and currently provides services and housing to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

— luke money, latimes.com, "O.C. supervisor and state senator urge Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa as an emergency homeless shelter," 24 Mar. 2018
Graves and her sister Emily founded a Best Buddies chapter at Elgin to help build one-to-one friendships between students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities.

— c.r. walker, Elgin Courier-News, "A keeper at sweeper: Kylie Graves inspired by brother to form Best Buddies chapter at Elgin," 23 Mar. 2018
Graves and her sister Emily founded a Best Buddies chapter at Elgin to help build one-to-one friendships between students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities.

— c.r. walker, chicagotribune.com, "A keeper at sweeper: Kylie Graves inspired by brother to form Best Buddies chapter at Elgin," 22 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'intellectual.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of intellectual

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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intellectual Synonyms

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

intellectual

noun

Definition of intellectual

1 intellectuals plural, archaic : intellectual powers

2 : an intellectual person

See intellectual defined for English-language learners

Examples of intellectual in a Sentence

He thinks that he's an intellectual, but he doesn't know what he's talking about.
She's a hard worker but she's no great intellectual.
a café where artists and intellectuals mingle