intuition

noun

in·​tu·​i·​tion ˌin-tü-ˈi-shən 

-tyü-

1

a

: the power or faculty of attaining to direct knowledge or cognition without evident rational thought and inference

b

: immediate apprehension or cognition

c

: knowledge or conviction gained by intuition

2

: quick and ready insight

intuitional

ˌin-tü-ˈi-sh(ə-)nəl 

-tyü-

adjective

Examples of intuition in a Sentence

Intuition was telling her that something was very wrong.

“How did you know I would drop by?” “Oh, I don't know. It must have been intuition.”

Recent Examples on the Web

Science isn’t about beliefs, intuition or gut feelings. —David A. Brenner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2024

With contracts signed, months of pre-production since passed, and shooting now underway, Cameron only really confirmed that intuition while watching dailies from his star’s first day on set. —Ben Croll, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024

Traditional whiskey making relies heavily on human expertise and intuition to develop flavors. —Neil Sahota, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

The book’s core lesson is simple: Humans make moral decisions based on emotional intuition, not just reason. —Emma Goldberg, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2024

Embrace Intuition Despite its clichéd connotation, embracing intuition is the cornerstone for success in the cannabis industry. —Mario Naric, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2024

Use your intellect and intuition to bring about the changes that affirm your sanity and encourage you to take better care of yourself and what’s important to you. —Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024

Music’s been a great way to apply intuition in a way that is creative. —Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024

Listen to your intuition and run your options by someone with experience. —Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English intuycyon, from Late Latin intuition-, intuitio act of contemplating, from Latin intuēri to look at, contemplate, from in- + tuēri to look at

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

intuition

noun

in·​tu·​ition

ˌin-t(y)u̇-ˈish-ən

1

: the power of knowing immediately and without conscious reasoning

2

: something known or understood at once

intuitional

-ˈish-nəl

-ən-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

intuition

noun

in·​tu·​ition ˌin-t(y)u̇-ˈish-ən 

1

: immediate apprehension or cognition without reasoning or inferring

2

: knowledge or conviction gained by intuition

3

: the power or faculty of gaining direct knowledge or cognition without evident rational thought and inference

intuit

in-ˈt(y)ü-ət 

transitive verb

intuitional

ˌin-t(y)u̇-ˈish-nəl, -ən-ᵊl 

adjective

intuitive

in-ˈt(y)ü-ət-iv 

adjective

intuitively adverb