intuitive

[ in-too-i-tiv, -tyoo- ]

adjective

1. perceiving directly by intuition without rational thought, as a person or the mind.
2. perceived by, resulting from, or involving intuition:

   intuitive knowledge.

   Synonyms: natural, inborn, innate

3. having or possessing intuition:

   an intuitive person.

4. capable of being perceived or known by intuition.
5. easy to understand or operate without explicit instruction:

   an intuitive design;

   an intuitive interface.

intuitive

/ ɪnˈtjuːɪtɪv /

adjective

1. resulting from intuition

   an intuitive awareness

2. of, characterized by, or involving intuition

Derived Forms

• inˈtuitively, adverb
• inˈtuitiveness, noun

Other Words From

• in·tu·i·tive·ly adverb
• in·tu·i·tive·ness noun
• non·in·tu·i·tive adjective
• non·in·tu·i·tive·ness noun
• qua·si-in·tu·i·tive adjective
• un·in·tu·i·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of intuitive¹

From the Medieval Latin word intuitīvus, dating back to 1585–95. See intuition, -ive

Example Sentences

"The body naturally regulates itself with deep breaths, so aligning our breathing with our emotions seems almost intuitive to us -- but we didn't really know how this worked in the brain," says senior author Sung Han, associate professor and Pioneer Fund Developmental Chair at Salk.

From Science Daily

Her self-taught and intuitive design method remains sought after beyond her home base of L.A., and we’ll be watching to see where her scissors take her next.

From Los Angeles Times

Just as artists relied on an intuitive understanding of neuroscience, neuroscientists have long documented their findings with artistic renderings of the brain, giving rise to key scientific observations.

From Science Daily

With his almost intuitive grasp of people’s dissatisfactions, Trump has tapped into that male frustration, and in the final weeks of his campaign he has doubled down on masculinity.

From BBC

Although intuitive, the relationship between the speed at which a fire spreads and the damage it causes to structures and land was difficult to quantify until recent developments in satellite technology, he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• emotional
• innate
• perceptive
• spontaneous
• visceral