What does intelligent mean?

Definitions for intelligent
ɪnˈtɛl ɪ dʒəntin·tel·li·gent

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word intelligent.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. intelligentadjective

    having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree

    "is there intelligent life in the universe?"; "an intelligent question"

  2. intelligent, well-informedadjective

    possessing sound knowledge

    "well-informed readers"

  3. healthy, intelligent, levelheaded, level-headed, soundadjective

    exercising or showing good judgment

    "healthy scepticism"; "a healthy fear of rattlesnakes"; "the healthy attitude of French laws"; "healthy relations between labor and management"; "an intelligent solution"; "a sound approach to the problem"; "sound advice"; "no sound explanation for his decision"

  4. intelligent, reasoning(a), thinking(a)adjective

    endowed with the capacity to reason

Wiktionary

  1. intelligentadjective

    of high or especially quick cognitive capacity, bright.

  2. intelligentadjective

    well thought-out, well considered

  3. intelligentadjective

    characterized by thoughtful interaction

    My girlfriend and I had an intelligent conversation.

  4. intelligentadjective

    Having the same level of brain power as mankind.

    The hunt for intelligent life.

  5. Etymology: From intelligens, present active participle of intellego, itself from inter + lego.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Intelligentadjective

    Etymology: intelligent, Fr. intelligens, Latin.

    It is not only in order of nature for him to govern that is the more intelligent, as Aristotle would have it; but there is no less required for government, courage to protect, and above all honesty. Francis Bacon.

    Intelligent of seasons, they set forth
    Their airy caravan. John Milton.

    He of times,
    Intelligent, th' harsh hyperborean ice
    Shuns for our equal Winters; when our suns
    Cleave the chill'd soil, he backwards wings his way. Phillips.

    Trace out the numerous footsteps of the presence and interposition of a most wise and intelligent architect throughout all this stupendous fabrick. John Woodward.

    Servants, who seem no less,
    Which are to France the spies and speculations
    Intelligent of our state. William Shakespeare, King Lear.

Wikipedia

  1. intelligent

    Intelligence has been defined in many ways: the capacity for abstraction, logic, understanding, self-awareness, learning, emotional knowledge, reasoning, planning, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. More generally, it can be described as the ability to perceive or infer information, and to retain it as knowledge to be applied towards adaptive behaviors within an environment or context. Intelligence is most often studied in humans but has also been observed in both non-human animals and in plants despite controversy as to whether some of these forms of life exhibit intelligence. Intelligence in computers or other machines is called artificial intelligence.

ChatGPT

  1. intelligent

    Intelligent refers to the ability to acquire and apply knowledge, reason, solve problems, and exhibit critical thinking skills. It involves the capacity to learn from experiences, adapt to new situations, and make informed decisions. Intelligence can manifest in various forms, such as cognitive abilities, emotional intelligence, creative thinking, and social skills.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Intelligentadjective

    endowed with the faculty of understanding or reason; as, man is an intelligent being

  2. Intelligentadjective

    possessed of intelligence, education, or judgment; knowing; sensible; skilled; marked by intelligence; as, an intelligent young man; an intelligent architect; an intelligent answer

  3. Intelligentadjective

    gognizant; aware; communicate

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Intelligent

    in-tel′-i-jent, adj. having intellect: endowed with the faculty of reason: well informed: bringing intelligence. (Shak.) communicative.—ns. Intell′igence, intellectual skill or knowledge: information communicated: news: a spiritual being; Intell′igencer, one going between parties: a spy.—adjs. Intelligen′tial, pertaining to the intelligence: consisting of spiritual being.—adv. Intell′igently.—adj. Intell′igible, that maybe understood: clear: (philos.) capable of being apprehended by the understanding only.—ns. Intell′igibleness, Intelligibil′ity.—adv. Intell′igibly. [L. intelligens, -entis, pr.p. of intelligĕre.]

Editors Contribution

  1. intelligent

    The capacity for thought and reason.

    They were so intelligent and together make a loving couple.


    Submitted by MaryC on February 15, 2020  

British National Corpus

  1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'intelligent' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #4819

  2. Written Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'intelligent' in Written Corpus Frequency: #3946

  3. Adjectives Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'intelligent' in Adjectives Frequency: #629

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

How to pronounce intelligent?

How to say intelligent in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of intelligent in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of intelligent in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

Examples of intelligent in a Sentence

  1. Andrew Michaels:

    I'd rather be with a woman who has things in common with me and is intelligent than a brainless, self centered trophy who is only concerned about where her next pair of Manolo Blahnik's are coming from and how much money she can take from your bank account.

  2. RAMANA PEMMARAJU:

    Sometimes people are intimidated not because you're intelligent, but they fear your presence may make them conscious of their ignorance!

  3. Robert Louis Stephenson:

    The man is a success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of children who has filled his niche and accomplished his task who leaves the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul who never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had.

  4. Robert Hewison:

    Many businessmen fail to understand Python principles--the ultimate absurdity was an offer from America to buy the 'format' of the Python shows, that is, Monty Python without the Pythons--corporate methods do not have the conceptual framework to deal with an anarchist collective, run by intelligent and arrogant comedians who have proved that their method works.

  5. Rupert Sheldrake:

    In no other field of scientific endeavor do otherwise intelligent people feel free to make public claims based on prejudice and ignorance. Yet in relation to psychic phenomena, committed materialists feel free to disregard the evidence and behave irrationally and unscientifically, while claiming to speak in the name of science and reason. They abuse the authority of science and bring rationalism into disrepute.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

intelligent#1#4767#10000

Translations for intelligent

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"intelligent." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 15 Feb. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/intelligent>.

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