intellectual

[ in-tl-ek-choo-uhl ]

adjective

1. appealing to or engaging the intellect:

   intellectual pursuits.

   Synonyms: mental

2. of or relating to the intellect or its use:

   intellectual powers.

   Synonyms: mental

3. possessing or showing intellect or mental capacity, especially to a high degree:

   an intellectual person.

4. guided or developed by or relying on the intellect rather than upon emotions or feelings; rational.
5. characterized by or suggesting a predominance of intellect:

   an intellectual way of speaking.

noun

1. a person of superior intellect.
2. a person who places a high value on or pursues things of interest to the intellect or the more complex forms and fields of knowledge, as aesthetic or philosophical matters, especially on an abstract and general level.
3. an extremely rational person; a person who relies on intellect rather than on emotions or feelings.
4. a person professionally engaged in mental labor, as a writer or teacher.
5. intellectuals, Archaic.
   1. the mental faculties.
   2. things pertaining to the intellect.

intellectual

/ ˌɪntɪˈlɛktʃʊəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the intellect, as opposed to the emotions
2. appealing to or characteristic of people with a developed intellect

   intellectual literature

3. expressing or enjoying mental activity

noun

1. a person who enjoys mental activity and has highly developed tastes in art, literature, etc
2. a person who uses or works with his intellect
3. a highly intelligent person

intellectual

1. A person who engages in academic study or critical evaluation of ideas and issues. ( See intelligentsia .)

Derived Forms

• ˌintelˌlectuˈality, noun
• ˌintelˈlectually, adverb

Other Words From

• intel·lectu·al·ly adverb
• intel·lectu·al·ness noun
• half-in·tel·lectu·al adjective
• half-in·tel·lectu·al·ly adverb
• hyper·intel·lectu·al adjective
• hyper·intel·lectu·al·ly adverb
• hyper·intel·lectu·al·ness noun
• nonin·tel·lectu·al adjective noun
• nonin·tel·lectu·al·ly adverb
• nonin·tel·lectu·al·ness noun
• over·intel·lectu·al adjective
• over·intel·lectu·al·ly adverb
• over·intel·lectu·al·ness noun
• prein·tel·lectu·al adjective
• prein·tel·lectu·al·ly adverb
• quasi-intel·lectu·al adjective
• quasi-intel·lectu·al·ly adverb
• semi-intel·lectu·al adjective noun
• semi-intel·lectu·al·ly adverb
• super·intel·lectu·al adjective noun
• super·intel·lectu·al·ly adverb
• unin·tel·lectu·al adjective
• unin·tel·lectu·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of intellectual¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin intellēctuālis, equivalent to intellēctu-, stem of intellēctus intellect + -ālis -al ¹

Synonym Study

See intelligent.

Example Sentences

The film is a bewitching spectacle, a classic holiday season event movie that brims with enough earnestness to keep even its fluffiest moments from becoming corny intellectual property slop.

From Salon

He disclosed the immunological innovations to the Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization, which has applied for patents to protect the intellectual property.

From Science Daily

He is an intellectual educated at Oxford University, is never seen without his signature slim, rectangular glasses and has been dubbed "Mr Digital" thanks to his pledge to whip Ghana into a technological heavyweight.

From BBC

The painter was well-versed in ancient literature and philosophy, and he was instrumental in establishing a new European idea of art as a living, evolving, intellectual activity, following centuries of craft-based medieval practice.

From Los Angeles Times

German manufacturers that require low-cost margins may struggle, says Mr Ley, but he believes there is hope for high-quality products with innovative features that rely on world-class engineering and intellectual property.

From BBC

Related Words

• cerebral
• creative
• highbrow
• mental
• psychological
• rational
• scholarly
• thoughtful