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intellectual

intellectual

344 5.5
About thinking, ideas, and mental effort rather than feelings
  • adjective
  • /ˌɪntəˈlɛktʃuəl/
: intelectual
  • Participate and collaborate as members of a social and intellectual network of learners.
  • intellectual property
  • intellectual freedom
  • intellectual disabilities

It doesn't allow for any genuine intellectual exploration.

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Examples

  • I know he took an intellectual interest in communist ideas...

  • In reality, CLD students have limited opportunities to develop their intellectual identities and identification with academics.

    Academic text (2011)
  • In these communities, students pool their intellectual resources and help each other learn.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Perhaps you can satisfy my intellectual curiosity.

  • Did this shift entail changes in the intellectual and practical priorities of the field?

    Academic text (2011)
  • Reflection requires attitudes that value the personal and intellectual growth of oneself and of others.

    Academic text (2011)
  • In an article published that same year, Perrott made another intellectual leap by introducing "days of disability."

    Academic text (2011)
  • The conference focused on issues of intellectual freedom and ethical responsibility.

  • Many artists draw inspiration from intellectual discussions in academia.

  • She enjoys engaging in intellectual debates about philosophy and science.

Synonyms

rational
vsintellectual
347 3.8

Based on clear thinking and facts rather than emotion

is use of the mind that includes broader reasoning and mental effort
cerebral
vsintellectual
  • Formal
17 7.6

Needing careful thought rather than strong feeling

is general mental activity focused on reasoning and effort
noetic
vsintellectual
  • Formal
1 9.9

Relating to thinking and the mind

is about broader mental effort and reasoning rather than emotions
intellective
vsintellectual
  • Formal
1 8.7

Relating to thinking and understanding

is broader covering mental effort beyond just thinking processes

Antonyms

643 3.0

Relating to a person's feelings and state of mind

160 4.4

Not based on clear reason or thinking

Compounds

intellectual property
  • Specialized
53 4.6

Rights that protect things people create, like inventions, books, or logos

A scholar or writer who shares ideas and arguments with the public

A person who dislikes learning and thinking

Something that gives your mind new ideas and keeps you thinking

A well-known person who writes or speaks about important public issues

1 9.9

Long, pointless thinking or talking that only shows off knowledge

How Intellectual

intellectual
344 5.5
theoretical
111 6.3
academic
400 4.2
cognitive
  • Specialized
127 5.4
practical
465 2.6
emotional
643 3.0

Surface Forms

intellectual positive

Morphology

intellectual = intellect (transparent) = intellect + ual

Clearly formed from the noun 'intellect' plus the adjective-forming suffix '-ual', so the meaning 'relating to intellect' is directly derivable.

Etymology

Intellectual comes from the Latin word intelligere, which means 'to pick out' or 'to understand', and you can see the same root in intelligent. So to call something intellectual is to say it uses the mind to understand and think carefully rather than feelings.