First Known Use: 1509
Dictionary
intelligent
adjective in·tel·li·gent \in-ˈte-lə-jənt\
: having or showing the ability to easily learn or understand things or to deal with new or difficult situations : having or showing a lot of intelligence
: able to learn and understand things
: having an ability to deal with problems or situations that resembles or suggests the ability of an intelligent person
Full Definition of INTELLIGENT
1
a : having or indicating a high or satisfactory degree of intelligence and mental capacity b : revealing or reflecting good judgment or sound thought : skillful
3
a : guided or controlled by a computer; especially : using a built-in microprocessor for automatic operation, for processing of data, or for achieving greater versatility — compare dumb 7 b : able to produce printed material from digital signals <an intelligent copier>
— in·tel·li·gen·tial \-ˌte-lə-ˈjen(t)-shəl\ adjective
— in·tel·li·gent·ly \-ˈte-lə-jənt-lē\ adverb
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Origin of INTELLIGENT
Latin intelligent-, intelligens, present participle of intelligere, intellegere to understand, from inter- + legere to gather, select — more at legend
Related to INTELLIGENT
- Synonyms
- alert, brainy, bright, brilliant, clever, exceptional, fast, hyperintelligent, keen, nimble, quick, quick-witted, sharp, sharp-witted, smart, supersmart, ultrasmart
- Antonyms
- airheaded, birdbrained, boneheaded, brain-dead, brainless, bubbleheaded, chuckleheaded, dense, dim, dim-witted, doltish, dopey (also dopy), dorky [slang], dull, dumb, dunderheaded, empty-headed, fatuous, gormless [chiefly British], half-witted, knuckleheaded, lamebrain (or lamebrained), lunkheaded, mindless, obtuse, opaque, pinheaded, senseless, simple, slow, slow-witted, soft, softheaded, stupid, thick, thickheaded, thick-witted, unbrilliant, unintelligent, unsmart, vacuous, weak-minded, witless
Synonym Discussion of INTELLIGENT
intelligent, clever, alert, quick-witted mean mentally keen or quick. intelligent stresses success in coping with new situations and solving problems <an intelligent person could assemble it fast>. clever implies native ability or aptness and sometimes suggests a lack of more substantial qualities <clever with words>. alert stresses quickness in perceiving and understanding <alert to new technology>. quick-witted implies promptness in finding answers in debate or in devising expedients in moments of danger or challenge <no match for his quick-witted opponent>.
INTELLIGENT Defined for Kids
intelligent
adjective in·tel·li·gent \in-ˈte-lə-jənt\
Definition of INTELLIGENT for Kids
1
: having or showing serious thought and good judgment <an intelligent student> <an intelligent decision>
2
: able to learn and understand <Is there intelligent life on other planets?>
— in·tel·li·gent·ly adverb
Synonym Discussion of INTELLIGENT
intelligent, clever, and brilliant mean having a good amount of mental ability. intelligent is used of a person who can handle new situations and solve problems. <We need an intelligent person to run the company.> clever is used of a person who learns very quickly. <The clever youngster learned the trick in a few minutes.> brilliant is used of a person whose mental ability is much greater than normal. <A brilliant doctor discovered the cure for that disease.>
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