View synonyms for intelligent

intelligent

[ in-tel-i-juhnt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

having good understanding or a high mental capacity; quick to comprehend, as persons or animals:
an intelligent student.
Synonyms: bright
Antonyms: stupid
displaying or characterized by quickness of understanding, sound thought, or good judgment:
an intelligent reply.
Synonyms: smart, shrewd, discerning, apt, bright, alert, clever, astute
Antonyms: stupid
having the faculty of reasoning and understanding; possessing intelligence:
intelligent beings in outer space.
Computers. pertaining to the ability to do data processing locally; smart: Compare dumb ( def 8 ).
An intelligent terminal can edit input before transmission to a host computer.
Archaic. having understanding or knowledge (usually followed by of ).

intelligent

/ ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒənt /

adjective

having or indicating intelligence
having high intelligence; clever
indicating high intelligence; perceptive
an intelligent guess
guided by reason; rational
(of computerized functions) able to modify action in the light of ongoing events
archaic.
postpositivefoll byof having knowledge or information
they were intelligent of his whereabouts

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Derived Forms

inˈtelligently, adverb

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Other Words From

in·telli·gent·ly adverb
hyper·in·telli·gent adjective
hyper·in·telli·gent·ly adverb
nonin·telli·gent adjective
nonin·telli·gent·ly adverb
prein·telli·gent adjective
prein·telli·gent·ly adverb
quasi-in·telli·gent adjective
quasi-in·telli·gent·ly adverb
semi-in·telli·gent adjective
semi-in·telli·gent·ly adverb
super·in·telli·gent adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of intelligent¹

First recorded in 1500–10; from Latin intelligent- (stem of intelligēns, present participle of intelligere, variant of intellegere “to understand,” literally, “choose between),” equivalent to intel- (variant of inter- inter- ) + -lig- (combining form of leg-, stem of legere “to pick up, choose”; lection ) + -ent- -ent

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Synonym Study

Intelligent, intellectual describe distinctive mental capacity. Intelligent often suggests a natural quickness of understanding: an intelligent reader. Intellectual implies not only having a high degree of understanding, but also a capacity and taste for the higher forms of knowledge: intellectual interests. See sharp.

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Example Sentences

Some believe that admitting Trump is a formidable public opponent is the mark of a less intelligent and certainly a less courageous human being.

From Salon

The film is stylish and intelligent, but what’s most impressive is that it trusts its audience; there’s no hand-holding, or overexplanations of its narrative to water down its themes into palatable baby food.

From Salon

An intelligent 25-year-old, she had attended college in Manchester, made new friends and embraced life in the UK.

From BBC

Here, rendering this edge-of-nightmare world, Lalami skates along at the height of her powers as a writer of intelligent, complex characters.

From Los Angeles Times

He wasn't a stupid boy, he was a very intelligent young man.

From BBC

Related Words

intelligence test intelligent card

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