intellectual

noun

1

: an intellectual person

2

intellectuals plural, archaic : intellectual powers

Synonyms of intellectual

• nerd
• highbrow
• intellectualist
• geek

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

Recent Examples on the Web

The demonization of minorities was nothing new, of course, but New York in the Seventies birthed a reactionary movement that was supported by politicians, public intellectuals, elites, and working people alike. —Kevin Lozano, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026

The effects of his revolution on the party and its ability to govern are far greater than many intellectuals, politicians, and staffers seem to grasp. —Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026

Consequently, teleSUR often manages to obtain firsthand information from a representative network of nongovernmental organizations, political parties, unions, intellectuals, human rights defenders, and minorities, among others. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026

Réveille also interviewed Régis Debray, an author and leftist intellectual who supported Che. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 22 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing intellectual

• anti-intellectual
• hyper-intellectual
• intellectual disability
• intellectual freedom
• intellectual property
• pseudo-intellectual

Rhymes for intellectual

• aspectual
• effectual
• ineffectual

Kids Definition

intellectual

1 of 2 adjective

in·​tel·​lec·​tu·​al ˌint-ᵊl-ˈek-ch(ə-w)əl 

1

: relating to the intellect or understanding

2

: having intellect to a high degree : engaged in or given to learning and thinking

an intellectual person

3

: requiring study and thought

intellectual games

intellectuality

-ˌek-chə-ˈwal-ət-ē 

noun

intellectually

-ˈek-chə-(wə-)lē 

adverb

intellectual

2 of 2 noun

: an intellectual person