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insight

insight

493 4.9
A deep clear understanding of how something really is
  • noun
  • /ˈɪnˌsaɪt/
translation icon : comprensión
  • Reflection and journaling bring insight and understanding to the process and promote growth.
  • provide insight
  • gain insight
  • offer insight

And then lastly I value and seek insight about myself.

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Examples

  • The teacher's insight into the students' struggles helped her tailor her lessons more effectively.

  • Furthermore, as a local resident, you offer special insight into neighborhoods in your area.

    Academic text (2011)
  • And so having insight is a good thing.

  • This let me get insight into the world of that job.

  • And where did this insight into major criminal activities come from?

  • Now we are able to provide a bigger insight into a person's background.

    Academic text (2011)
  • OK, this is like one of the key insights of my life.

  • Studies such as these provide insight into place attachment for the population as a whole.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Natural history collections can provide insights into extinction rates in response to climate change.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Her unique perspective gave her valuable insight into the challenges faced by the team.

Synonyms

understanding
vsinsight
871 1.1

The ability to know what something means

involves a more immediate and deeper sense of underlying truth
depth
vsinsight
146 4.4

Serious, careful thinking or strong understanding of a subject

stresses a fast, intuitive perception of the true situation
intuition
vsinsight
127 5.5

A quick feeling that something is true without thinking

adds a deeper, truer comprehension of the thing's real nature
realization
vsinsight
  • US
120 3.6

Becoming suddenly aware of something

is more about a deep, intuitive grasp of the thing itself
comprehension
vsinsight
70 3.0

Ability to understand the meaning of what you read or hear

adds an intuitive, deeper sense of what lies beneath the surface
perception
vsinsight
53 4.0

The ability to notice and understand things quickly

focuses more on intuitively grasping the essential reality beneath facts
discernment
vsinsight
38 6.6

The ability to notice and judge things clearly and wisely

is more about an instinctive grasp of what lies beneath
recognition
vsinsight
38 2.7

Becoming aware of something and understanding it clearly

is more about an inner, intuitive grasp of the true nature
sixth sense
vsinsight
17 7.6

A natural feeling that tells you things without using sight, hearing, touch, smell, or taste

is more grounded in real intuitive understanding of true nature
deep understanding
vsinsight
9 3.7

A strong and complete knowledge of a subject or idea

adds an intuitive sense of the true underlying nature
acuity
vsinsight
7 8.1

Ability to think quickly and clearly

is more about an inner, intuitive perception of what something is
valuable insight
vsinsight
6 3.6

An idea or fact that helps you understand and solve a problem

is more about an inner, intuitive grasp of core truth
penetration
vsinsight
3 6.8

The ability to understand something clearly and deeply

leans more toward an intuitive grasp of an underlying reality
profundity
vsinsight
  • Formal
3 8.4

A serious, clear way of thinking that shows strong understanding of important ideas

is more about an immediate intuitive grasp of real nature
cognizance
vsinsight
3 8.6

Awareness that something exists or is happening

points more to an immediate, deep perception of essential reality
astuteness
vsinsight
1 6.9

Skill in understanding people or situations quickly and using that to your advantage

is more concerned with perceiving the true nature than gaining advantage
perceptiveness
vsinsight
1 6.6

Being quick to notice small details and other people's feelings

is more about a deep, intuitive understanding of true nature
insightfulness
vsinsight
1 6.7

A deep understanding that sees what others do not about people or situations

relies more on grasping the true nature in an intuitive way
deepness
vsinsight
1 7.0

Thought that shows strong understanding of complex ideas

is more immediate and tied to sensing the true nature
profoundness
vsinsight
7.5

Great depth of thought or feeling that shows strong understanding

focuses more on quick, intuitive understanding of what lies beneath
perceptivity
vsinsight
8.0

A quick ability to notice and understand things

leans more toward a deeper, less purely observational understanding
intuitiveness
vsinsight
7.0

The ability to know things right away without thinking

is more about reaching a profound, true picture of the matter

Antonyms

316 3.9

Not knowing about something or how it works

Compounds

An idea or fact that helps you understand and solve a problem

A new understanding of climate patterns found in data

How Insightful

wisdom
571 2.7
insight
493 4.9
comprehension
70 3.0
awareness
336 3.2

Surface Forms

insight singular
insights plural

Morphology

insight = sight (semi-transparent) = in + sight

Formally 'in' (into) + 'sight' = 'seeing into' → understanding, but learners may confuse 'in-' as the negative prefix or not map 'in' to a prefix meaning 'into'.

Etymology

Insight is made of in- ('into') and sight ('seeing'), so it literally means 'seeing into' something. So, an insight is a clear, often sudden understanding that lets you 'see' the true nature of a situation.