intellectual

1 of 2

adjective

in·​tel·​lec·​tu·​al ˌin-tə-ˈlek-chə-wəl How to pronounce intellectual (audio)
-chəl, 
-shwəl, 
-chü(-ə)l
Synonyms of intellectual
1
a
: of or relating to the intellect or its use
b
: developed or chiefly guided by the intellect rather than by emotion or experience : rational
c
: requiring use of the intellect
intellectual games
2
a
: given to study, reflection, and speculation
b
: engaged in activity requiring the creative use of the intellect
intellectual playwrights
intellectuality
ˌin-tə-ˌlek-chə-ˈwa-lə-tē How to pronounce intellectual (audio)
noun
intellectually
ˌin-tə-ˈlek-chə-wə-lē How to pronounce intellectual (audio)
-chə-lē, 
-shwə-lē, 
-chü(-ə)-lē
adverb
intellectualness
ˌin-tə-ˈlek-chə-wəl-nəs How to pronounce intellectual (audio)
-chəl-, 
-shwəl-, 
-chü(-ə)l-
noun

intellectual

2 of 2

noun

1
: an intellectual person
2
intellectuals plural, archaic : intellectual powers

Synonyms of intellectual

Relevance

Adjective

Noun

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Examples of intellectual in a Sentence

Adjective the social and intellectual life of the campus as the daughter of college professors, she's used to being around intellectual people Noun He thinks that he's an intellectual, but he doesn't know what he's talking about. She's a hard worker but she's no great intellectual. a café where artists and intellectuals mingle
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
There is an intellectual curiosity and a real competitiveness. — Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026 The result is a movie of dazzling conundrums and vertiginous paradoxes, leading Fielder ever deeper into emotional and intellectual wilds. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026
Noun
The public intellectual of the future won’t be wearing tweed or a button-down collar—the new uniform involves a coach’s headset, or the pancake makeup from the greenroom of some sports network. — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026 The initial wave of departures was made up of African American intellectuals, church leaders and merchants. — Karen Masterson, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intellectual

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of intellectual was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing intellectual

Rhymes for intellectual

See All Rhymes for intellectual

Browse Nearby Words

intellective
intellectual
intellectual disability
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Intellectual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intellectual. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

intellectual

1 of 2 adjective
in·​tel·​lec·​tu·​al ˌint-ᵊl-ˈek-ch(ə-w)əl How to pronounce intellectual (audio)
1
: relating to the intellect or understanding
2
: having intellect to a high degree : engaged in or given to learning and thinking
an intellectual person
3
: requiring study and thought
intellectual games
intellectuality
-ˌek-chə-ˈwal-ət-ē How to pronounce intellectual (audio)
noun
intellectually
-ˈek-chə-(wə-)lē How to pronounce intellectual (audio)
adverb

intellectual

2 of 2 noun
: an intellectual person
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