intellectualism

noun

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

Examples of intellectualism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Just look at Kayvon Thibodeaux, who entered the league not just as a top edge rusher but as an entrepreneur and cultural commentator—launching a crypto literacy initiative during his draft campaign and openly challenging narratives around Black athletes and intellectualism. —Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

But Kennedy’s Camelot at least tried to elevate idealism, intellectualism, and the modern elegance of a pillbox hat. —Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2025

Eventually Faithfull found an interest in performing in plays and, entranced by Buddy Holly and Joan Baez and Simone de Beauvoir, folk music, and arty café intellectualism as well. —Bill Wyman, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2025

Both women have crises of faith in language, in intellectualism, in their role as a therapist and as a wife. —Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for intellectualism

• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism
• anticommunism
• antisemitism
• antiterrorism
• bioterrorism
• colloquialism
• colonialism
• consequentialism
• contextualism
• conventionalism