Meaning & use
intelligent
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Good at learning, understanding and reasoning.
Grammar: Before a noun or after be: an intelligent girl, she is intelligent.
Patterns
- intelligent enough to do something
She is an intelligent student who asks sharp questions.
Dolphins are intelligent animals.
It was an intelligent decision to wait.
adjectivebefore a nouncomputing
Able to learn, adapt or process information, as machines or systems can.
Grammar: Before a noun: an intelligent system.
The thermostat is an intelligent device that learns your habits.
Intelligent software can sort email.
Word forms
| comparative | more intelligent |
|---|---|
| superlative | most intelligent |
Common combinations
- highly intelligent
- The boy is highly intelligent.
- intelligent question
- He asked an intelligent question.
- intelligent design
- The class debated intelligent design.
- intelligent life
- They searched for intelligent life on other planets.
Synonyms and how they differ
- clever
- Suggests quick thinking or cunning in practical matters.
- smart
- Is informal and often street-wise.
- bright
- Is informal and often said of the young.
- brilliant
- Is stronger, for exceptional ability.
Opposites
Word family
- intelligence noun
- the ability to learn and reason
- intelligently adverb
- in a sensible way
- unintelligent adjective
- lacking intelligence
Commonly confused: intelligent or intelligible?
intelligent vs intelligible
Intelligible means able to be understood.
Practice
Which sentence uses intelligent correctly?
Choose one answer.
Intelligent is an adjective describing the noun answer.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “intelligent”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.