intellect
noun
in·tel·lect ˈin-tə-ˌlekt 
1
a
: the power of knowing as distinguished from the power to feel and to will : the capacity for knowledge
b
: the capacity for rational or intelligent thought especially when highly developed
2
: a person with great intellectual powers
Synonyms
- brain
- brainiac
- genius
- thinker
- whiz
- wiz
- wizard
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
She is a woman of superior intellect. She has a sharp intellect. We were required to read a book every week in order to develop our intellects. music that appeals to the intellect while still satisfying the emotions
Recent Examples on the Web Isbell’s intellect and Twitter-razor wit are evident too. 
Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 6 Sep. 2022 There's also the effects of the intellect-enhancing drug she's inhaled lately. Samantha Highfill, EW.com, 5 Sep. 2022 Woodruff, who didn’t come from privilege, sees himself as a craftsman and intellect in a field overrun with lofty academics and snake oil salesmen. New York Times, 9 July 2022 But then, the union of high and low, of sensation and intellect, has always been central to Strickland’s own obsessions. Justin Changfilm Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2022 Personally, the combination of automation and human intellect is the winning option. Eoin Keary, Forbes, 3 June 2022 Ottessa Moshfegh has a glittering intellect and an unquenchable dark turn of mind. New York Times, 13 June 2022 The sharpest investors also have a strong intellect. Richard Thalheimer, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2022 But what had become, in this new Germany, of Karl Gustav Specht, with all his intellect and cultivation? Cynthia Ozick, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2022 See More
Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 6 Sep. 2022 There's also the effects of the intellect-enhancing drug she's inhaled lately. Samantha Highfill, EW.com, 5 Sep. 2022 Woodruff, who didn’t come from privilege, sees himself as a craftsman and intellect in a field overrun with lofty academics and snake oil salesmen. New York Times, 9 July 2022 But then, the union of high and low, of sensation and intellect, has always been central to Strickland’s own obsessions. Justin Changfilm Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2022 Personally, the combination of automation and human intellect is the winning option. Eoin Keary, Forbes, 3 June 2022 Ottessa Moshfegh has a glittering intellect and an unquenchable dark turn of mind. New York Times, 13 June 2022 The sharpest investors also have a strong intellect. Richard Thalheimer, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2022 But what had become, in this new Germany, of Karl Gustav Specht, with all his intellect and cultivation? Cynthia Ozick, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin intellectus, from intellegere to understand — more at intelligent
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
intellect
noun
in·tel·lect ˈin-tə-ˌlekt
1
: the ability to think and understand
She has a superior intellect.
2
: a person with great powers of thinking and reasoning
Medical Definition
intellect
noun
in·tel·lect ˈint-ᵊl-ˌekt
1
: the power of knowing as distinguished from the power to feel and to will : the capacity for knowledge
2
: the capacity for rational or intelligent thought
intellect
noun
1
as in genius
a very smart person one of the finest intellects of our time Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- genius
- wizard
- brain
- thinker
- intellectual
- brainiac
- wiz
- nerd
- whiz
- geek
- virtuoso
- savant
- polymath
- sage
- blue
- highbrow
- master
- bluestocking
- natural
- polyhistor
- Renaissance man
- crackerjack
- longhair
- ace
- crackajack
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- imbecile
- idiot
- moron
- dolt
- blockhead
- dunce
- ignoramus
- numbskull
- pinhead
- illiterate
- dope
- goon
- dummy
- knucklehead
- numskull
- nitwit
- lowbrow
- ass
- dumbbell
- hammerhead
- dodo
- fool
- fathead
- philistine
- half-wit
- donkey
- beast
- know-nothing
- snake
- clown
- jackass
- anti-intellectual
- cur
- louse
- heel
- creep
- jerk
- boor
- skunk
- lout
- cretin
- churl
- stinker
- cad
2
as in intelligence
the ability to learn and understand or to deal with problems a child of great intellect as well as artistic talent Synonyms & Similar Words
- intelligence
- sense
- intellectuality
- reason
- brainpower
- talent
- smarts
- brain(s)
- wit
- aptitude
- mentality
- wisdom
- intellectualism
- insight
- mind
- gray matter
- brilliance
- discernment
- acumen
- headpiece
- perspicacity
- astuteness
- perception
- alertness
- judgment
- sagacity
- braininess
- apprehension
- percipience
- sapience
- judgement
- common sense
- mother wit
- skull
- discriminability
- horse sense
- eggheadedness
- highbrowism
- head
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- dulness
- stupidity
- idiocy
- dullness
- imbecility
- dumbness
- foolishness
- density
- feeblemindedness
- fatuity
- slowness
- senselessness
- denseness
- simpleness
- dopiness
- doltishness
- half-wittedness