Intellect is the ability to understand or deal with ideas and information.
Do the emotions develop in parallel with the intellect?
The intellect is not the most important thing in life.
Synonyms: intelligence, mind, reason, understanding More Synonyms of intellect
2. variable noun [oft poss NOUN]
Intellect is the quality of being very intelligent or clever.
Her intellect is famed far and wide.
3. countable noun
If you describe someone as an intellect, you mean that they are very intelligent.
My boss isn't a great intellect.
Synonyms: thinker, intellectual, genius, mind More Synonyms of intellect
intellect in British English
(ˈɪntɪˌlɛkt)
noun
1.
the capacity for understanding, thinking, and reasoning, as distinct from feeling or wishing
2.
a mind or intelligence, esp a brilliant one
his intellect is wasted on that job
3. informal
a person possessing a brilliant mind; brain
4.
those possessing the greatest mental power
the intellect of a nation
Derived forms
intellective (ˌintelˈlective)
adjective
intellectively (ˌintelˈlectively)
adverb
Word origin
C14: from Latin intellectus comprehension, intellect, from intellegere to understand; see intelligence
intellect in American English
(ˈɪntəˌlɛkt)
noun
1.
the ability to reason or understand or to perceive relationships, differences, etc.; power of thought; mind
2.
great mental ability; high intelligence
3.
a.
a mind or intelligence, esp. a superior one
b.
a person of high intelligence
c.
minds or intelligent persons, collectively
Derived forms
intellective (ˌintelˈlective)
adjective
Word origin
ME < L intellectus, a perceiving, understanding < pp. of intellegere, intelligere, to perceive, understand < inter-, between, among + legere, to gather, pick, choose: see logic
Examples of 'intellect' in a sentence
intellect
Comedy and theatre designs are shaped by a happy combination of intellect and emotion.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
You do not require a great intellect to be happy.
Paul Martin MAKING HAPPY PEOPLE (2005)
He was a towering intellect and a very civilised man.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It must be admitted that his was a brilliant intellect.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
His keen intellect made it inevitable and proper that he should gain high office.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
One reason for this is undoubtedly his formidable intellect.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Her energy and sharp intellect seemed to know no bounds.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
What is certainly true is that he combined the finest intellect with a great humility.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Great intellect but also the ability to balance business and organisational issues.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He combined a formidable intellect with good humour and he had a keen ability to defuse difficult situations.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
But her unassuming demeanour masked a sharp intellect and powers of observation essential for the task of a secret agent.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He is a clergyman of ability and intellect who would ordinarily be an obviously qualified choice for the role of bishop.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Wit and intellect in an instant!
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The couple's partnership was based as much on intellect as emotion.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
His modesty and courtesy concealed brilliant intellect; this combination worked wonders.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Yes, there are questions that make one question the intellect and intent behind them.
Christianity Today (2000)
Comedy posters, photographs and theatre designs are shaped by a happy combination of intellect and emotion.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
I found it intriguing that he used his sharp intellect and self-confidence for the wrong ends.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He will be remembered by many for his comedy and satire; it was his keen intellect and sharp observation that made it all possible.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Paintings, photos, posters theatre designs are shaped by a happy combination of intellect and emotion.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
She positions herself as a formidable intellect, a woman who has passed the point where she worries about whether or not to tie her hair back.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Though void of intellect or cognitive powers, I was already passing myself off as a writer.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
I also applaud the man's tenacity, intellect and ability.
The Sun (2009)
Quotations
We should take care not to make the intellect our god; it has, of course, powerful muscles, but no personalityAlbert EinsteinOut of My Later Years
I care not whether a man is good or evil; all that I care Is whether he is a wise man or a fool. Go! put off holiness And put on intellectWilliam BlakeJerusalem
In other languages
intellect
British English: intellect NOUN
Intellect is the ability to understand or deal with ideas and information.
Do the emotions develop in parallel with the intellect?
American English: intellect
Brazilian Portuguese: intelecto
Chinese: 智力
European Spanish: intelecto
French: intellect
German: Intellekt
Italian: intelletto
Japanese: 知力
Korean: 지성
European Portuguese: intelecto
Latin American Spanish: intelecto
Chinese translation of 'intellect'
intellect
(ˈɪntəlɛkt)
n(c/u)
(= thinking) 智力 (zhìlì)
(= intelligence) 才智 (cáizhì)
1 (noun)
Definition
the ability to understand, think, and reason
Do the emotions develop in parallel with the intellect?
Synonyms
intelligence
She's a woman of exceptional intelligence.
mind
an excellent training for the young mind
reason
a conflict between emotion and reason
understanding
They have to have a basic understanding of computers.
sense
When he was younger he had a bit more sense.
brains (informal)
judgment
Publication of the information was a serious error in judgment.
2 (noun)
Definition
a person who has a brilliant mind
(informal)
My boss isn't a great intellect.
Synonyms
thinker
some of the world's greatest thinkers
intellectual
teachers, artists and other intellectuals
genius
a 14-year-old mathematical genius
mind
She moved to London, meeting some of the best minds of her time.
brain (informal)
I've never been much of a brain myself.
intelligence
rocket scientist (informal)
egghead (informal)
The Government was dominated by self-important eggheads.
Quotations
We should take care not to make the intellect our god; it has, of course, powerful muscles, but no personality [Albert Einstein – Out of My Later Years]I care not whether a man is good or evil; all that I care Is whether he is a wise man or a fool. Go! put off holiness And put on intellect [William Blake – Jerusalem]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of brain
Definition
an intelligent person
I've never been much of a brain myself.
Synonyms
intellectual,
genius,
scholar,
sage,
pundit,
thinker,
mastermind,
intellect (informal),
prodigy,
highbrow,
rocket scientist (informal),
egghead (informal),
brainbox,
clever clogs,
bluestocking (derogatory)
in the sense of egghead
Definition
an intellectual person
The Government was dominated by self-important eggheads.
Synonyms
expert,
genius,
guru,
inventor,
wizard,
mastermind,
intellect (informal),
boffin (British, informal),
rocket scientist (informal),
brain(s) (informal),
brainbox,
bluestocking (derogatory),
maven (US),
fundi (South Africa)
in the sense of genius
Definition
a person with exceptional ability in a particular subject or activity