emotional intelligence

American

[ih-moh-shuh-nl in-tel-i-juhns] / ɪˈmoʊ ʃə nl ɪnˈtɛl ɪ dʒəns /

noun

Psychology.

skill in perceiving, understanding, and managing emotions and feelings. EI

emotional intelligence British

noun

awareness of one's own emotions and moods and those of others, esp in managing people

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of emotional intelligence

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

BH: It’s also important to have emotional intelligence.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

Jobs that rely on emotional intelligence are also less exposed to AI disruption.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

It could tell the difference between a joke and a call for help, unlike newer models which, Ursie says, lack that emotional intelligence.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

O’Malley agreed, saying he sees how it prevents men “from developing their emotional intelligence, their ability to reach out to other people, to make friends and connect.”

From Salon • Nov. 21, 2025

No. I knew their emotional intelligence, their delicate minds so near my own.

From "Endangered" by Eliot Schrefer

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023