Meaning & use
intellectual
Relating to the ability to think, reason, and understand ideas, especially at an advanced or scholarly level.
See it in a sentence
The seminar sparked an intellectual discussion about the ethics of artificial intelligence.
She has always had a strong intellectual curiosity about how the world works.
A note on using this word
Intellectual can describe an activity or quality, or, as a noun, a person who engages seriously with ideas, often in academic or cultural life.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Another way to use it
2. noun
A person who values and engages deeply with ideas, learning, and critical thought.
The cafe was a favorite meeting place for local intellectuals and writers.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “intellectual”, then compare your use with the examples above.