intelligence
noun
in·tel·li·gence in-ˈte-lə-jən(t)s 
1
a(1)
: the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations : reason
also : the skilled use of reason
(2)
: the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one's environment or to think abstractly as measured by objective criteria (such as tests)
c
: mental acuteness : shrewdness
b
Christian Science : the basic eternal quality of divine Mind
2
a
: information, news
b
: information concerning an enemy or possible enemy or an area
also : an agency engaged in obtaining such information
3
: the act of understanding : comprehension
4
: the ability to perform computer functions
5
a
: intelligent minds or mind
cosmic intelligence
b
: an intelligent entity
especially : angel
Synonyms
- brain(s)
- brainpower
- gray matter
- headpiece
- intellect
- intellectuality
- mentality
- reason
- sense
- smarts
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
She impressed us with her superior intelligence. a person of average intelligence gathering intelligence about a neighboring country's activities
Recent Examples on the Web So much so that federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies, which were reshaped to focus on international terrorism after 9/11, now see the threat of domestic violent extremism as equally urgent. 
Karen Matthews, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Sep. 2022 Western intelligence agencies estimate that Russia lost tens of thousands of soldiers in the six months of the war and a vast amount of military equipment that the country is struggling to replace. Mary Ilyushina, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 In an important caveat, Cannon ruled that the intelligence agencies may proceed with ... Andrew C. Mccarthy, National Review, 5 Sep. 2022 Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told lawmakers last week that the intelligence agencies would undertake that assessment. Aruna Viswanatha, WSJ, 29 Aug. 2022 Markings indicated that some of the documents included information that had come from clandestine human sources and electronic eavesdropping—the most sensitive methods used by American intelligence agencies to collect information. David Rohde, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2022 Federal intelligence agencies are preparing to fight foreign election interference for the third election in a row. Ben Kamisar, NBC News, 26 Aug. 2022 Western intelligence agencies blamed all three attacks on Russian security services. New York Times, 22 Aug. 2022 The humiliations of Russia’s military have largely overshadowed the failures of the FSB and other intelligence agencies. Greg Miller And Catherine Belton, Anchorage Daily News, 19 Aug. 2022 See More
Karen Matthews, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Sep. 2022 Western intelligence agencies estimate that Russia lost tens of thousands of soldiers in the six months of the war and a vast amount of military equipment that the country is struggling to replace. Mary Ilyushina, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 In an important caveat, Cannon ruled that the intelligence agencies may proceed with ... Andrew C. Mccarthy, National Review, 5 Sep. 2022 Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told lawmakers last week that the intelligence agencies would undertake that assessment. Aruna Viswanatha, WSJ, 29 Aug. 2022 Markings indicated that some of the documents included information that had come from clandestine human sources and electronic eavesdropping—the most sensitive methods used by American intelligence agencies to collect information. David Rohde, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2022 Federal intelligence agencies are preparing to fight foreign election interference for the third election in a row. Ben Kamisar, NBC News, 26 Aug. 2022 Western intelligence agencies blamed all three attacks on Russian security services. New York Times, 22 Aug. 2022 The humiliations of Russia’s military have largely overshadowed the failures of the FSB and other intelligence agencies. Greg Miller And Catherine Belton, Anchorage Daily News, 19 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin intelligentia, from intelligent-, intelligens intelligent
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Phrases Containing intelligence
Kids Definition
intelligence
noun
in·tel·li·gence in-ˈte-lə-jəns
1
: the ability to learn and understand
The test measures intelligence.
2
: secret information collected about an enemy or a possible enemy
Medical Definition
intelligence
noun
in·tel·li·gence in-ˈtel-ə-jən(t)s
1
a
: the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations
b
: the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one's environment or to think abstractly as measured by objective criteria (as tests)
2
: mental acuteness
intelligence
noun
1
as in intellect
the ability to learn and understand or to deal with problems high scores on this test supposedly demonstrate great intelligence Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- intellect
- sense
- intellectuality
- smarts
- talent
- brainpower
- reason
- aptitude
- brain(s)
- wit
- mentality
- wisdom
- insight
- gray matter
- intellectualism
- brilliance
- acumen
- mind
- astuteness
- perspicacity
- headpiece
- perception
- alertness
- discernment
- judgment
- braininess
- sagacity
- apprehension
- percipience
- sapience
- discriminability
- common sense
- horse sense
- judgement
- mother wit
- highbrowism
- eggheadedness
- skull
- head
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- stupidity
- idiocy
- density
- dumbness
- imbecility
- slowness
- foolishness
- feeblemindedness
- dulness
- fatuity
- dullness
- denseness
- dopiness
- simpleness
- senselessness
- doltishness
- half-wittedness
2
as in information
a report of recent events or facts not previously known usually received the latest intelligence about how the war was going Synonyms & Similar Words
- information
- news
- info
- story
- advice(s)
- item
- communication
- tidings
- announcement
- message
- rumor
- gen
- word
- uncos
- reportage
- correspondence
- dispatch
- bulletin
- tale
- 411
- feedback
- tip
- propaganda
- disinformation
- scoop
- tidbit
- gossip
- dope
- titbit
- tattle
- lowdown
3
as in wit
exceptional discernment and judgment especially in practical matters as head of the customer service department, he has handled complaints and disputes with unfailing intelligence and good humor Synonyms & Similar Words
- wit
- insight
- intellect
- wisdom
- acumen
- astuteness
- shrewdness
- canniness
- keenness
- hardheadedness
- knowingness
- sense
- perceptivity
- perceptiveness
- caginess
- perception
- cunning
- sagacity
- sharpness
- clear-sightedness
- discernment
- foxiness
- sapience
- artfulness
- cageyness
- subtlety
- slyness
- percipience
- reason
- guile
- wiliness
- deviousness
- sneakiness
- sagaciousness
- subtleness
- craftiness
- brain(s)
- slickness
- sageness
- gray matter
- craft
- artifice
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- naivete
- naïveté
- naiveté
- ingenuousness
- guilelessness
- unsophistication
- simplicity
- innocence
- unworldliness
- artlessness
- naiveness
- greenness
- stupidity
- simplemindedness
- obtuseness
- dumbness
- simpleness
- density
- witlessness
- foolishness
- slowness
- fatuity
- brainlessness
- dopiness
- mindlessness
- stupidness
- vacuity
- oafishness
- doltishness
- senselessness
- half-wittedness