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

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