intelligent

adjective

in·​tel·​li·​gent in-ˈte-lə-jənt How to pronounce intelligent (audio)
1
a
: having or indicating a high or satisfactory degree of intelligence and mental capacity
b
: revealing or reflecting good judgment or sound thought : skillful
2
a
: possessing intelligence
b
: guided or directed by intellect : rational
3
a
: guided or controlled by a computer
especially : smart sense 7c compare dumb sense 7
b
: able to produce printed material from digital signals
an intelligent copier
intelligential adjective
intelligently adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for intelligent

intelligent, clever, alert, quick-witted mean mentally keen or quick.

intelligent stresses success in coping with new situations and solving problems.

an intelligent person could assemble it fast

clever implies native ability or aptness and sometimes suggests a lack of more substantial qualities.

clever with words

alert stresses quickness in perceiving and understanding.

alert to new technology

quick-witted implies promptness in finding answers in debate or in devising expedients in moments of danger or challenge.

no match for his quick-witted opponent

Examples of intelligent in a Sentence

She asked some intelligent questions. He's a hard worker but he's not very intelligent.
Recent Examples on the Web But researchers have long wondered whether the bird species with the best vocal learning skills are also the most intelligent. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Sep. 2023 Maltese are affectionate, gentle, playful, quite intelligent, and will enjoy snuggling up to you all night. 07 Pekingese Created for Chinese aristocracy and royalty, the Pekingese has famously long locks and adorable flat faces. Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2023 People were very sweet, very open, and there’s a lot of film lovers there who are very intelligent. Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, 13 Sep. 2023 Some really intelligent, passionate, good citizens just don’t have the same need for literature and movies anymore. Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2023 Most owners are looking for a family dog that’s intelligent and good-natured with a low-shedding coat in their search for a doodle, petMD wrote. Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2023 Handsome, sensitive and intelligent are all traits Sandra hopes to find in her dream man. Amaris Encinas, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Sep. 2023 Plus, Aquarians are intelligent and great problem solvers. Kate McGregor, House Beautiful, 31 Aug. 2023 There could be dozens, hundreds, thousands of intelligent alien civilizations out there, living on a host of worlds with a technological level meeting or surpassing our own. Popular Mechanics, 8 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intelligent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin intelligent-, intelligens, present participle of intelligere, intellegere to understand, from inter- + legere to gather, select — more at legend

First Known Use

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of intelligent was circa 1540

Dictionary Entries Near intelligent

Cite this Entry

“Intelligent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intelligent. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

intelligent

adjective
in·​tel·​li·​gent in-ˈtel-ə-jənt How to pronounce intelligent (audio)
1
a
: possessing intelligence
humans are intelligent beings
b
: showing a higher than average degree of intelligence
an intelligent student
c
: revealing or reflecting good judgment or sound thought
an intelligent decision
2
: able to perform computing tasks : controlled by a computer
an intelligent terminal
intelligently adverb

Legal Definition

intelligent

adjective
in·​tel·​li·​gent
: having or indicating a high or satisfactory degree of intelligence and mental capacity
especially : having or indicating an understanding of the nature and consequences of an act or decision
a knowing and intelligent waiver of counsel
compare knowing

Note: Under Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), a waiver of rights must be knowing and intelligent.

intelligently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on intelligent

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