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intelligence

intelligence

418 3.0
Ability to learn, understand, and use knowledge to solve problems
  • noun
  • /ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒəns/
translation icon : inteligencia
  • Emotional intelligence is important for building strong relationships with others.

For a long time we thought intelligence means just IQ.

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Examples

  • Finally, practical intelligence involves using everyday intelligence to think through daily problems to find an effective solution.

    Academic text (2015)
  • The two things that work with Socrates are intelligence and virtue.

  • You have the intelligence to turn this thing around.

  • Let me say it this way, Intelligence means rate of learning.

  • Well, she said that you were the only one in this school with any intelligence.

  • I've always felt that the more emotional intelligence in society, the better.

  • Albert Einstein said the measure of intelligence is the ability to change.

  • As we enter the 21st century, old controversies about the measurement of intelligence are less relevant.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Intuition is a form of intelligence that is contextual.

  • Her intelligence allows her to solve complex problems quickly and effectively.

Synonyms

reason
vsintelligence
3.0

The power to think and understand clearly

covers logic but also includes learning and applying knowledge
understanding
vsintelligence
871 1.1

The ability to know what something means

adds learning capacity and the use of knowledge to grasping
intellect
vsintelligence
72 5.9

The ability to think clearly and understand difficult ideas

is broader, covering practical learning and applying knowledge
mental capacity
vsintelligence
  • Specialized
11 3.7

The ability to think clearly and make decisions

includes that ability but stresses learning and applying knowledge
brainpower
vsintelligence
8 3.4

Mental ability to think and solve problems

is broader, adding comprehension and practical application abilities
acuity
vsintelligence
7 8.1

Ability to think quickly and clearly

is more general, covering overall learning and reasoning capacity
mental ability
vsintelligence
3 3.7

A skill that lets you think, learn, and remember information

emphasizes active reasoning and applying acquired knowledge
mental acuity
vsintelligence
3 6.4

Quick, clear thinking that helps you understand and decide

is broader, including steady learning and reasoned application
learning ability
vsintelligence
1 2.5

How well a person gets new knowledge and skills from study or experience

is wider, adding understanding and the ability to use knowledge
smartness
vsintelligence
1 4.0

The ability to think quickly and act cleverly

focuses more on capacity to learn, reason, and apply knowledge
braininess
vsintelligence
1 5.2

A quality of being very smart and thinking quickly

is more formal and covers measured reasoning and knowledge use
sapience
vsintelligence
  • Formal
9.9

The ability to use knowledge and experience wisely

focuses more on general capacity to learn and reason
smarts
vsintelligence
  • Informal
4.1

Practical cleverness for solving everyday problems

is broader, covering both practical cleverness and formal reasoning
wits
vsintelligence
3.5

A mind that thinks quickly and makes sensible decisions

is more general, adding learning capacity and reasoning depth

Antonyms

316 3.9

Not knowing about something or how it works

115 2.5

Not being smart or having good judgment

Compounds

126 3.3

The group of United States government agencies that collect and share secret information to protect the country

intelligence agency
  • Specialized
64 2.8

A group that collects and studies secret information about other countries and threats

43 3.9

Computer programs and machines that can learn and solve problems like a person

intelligence service
  • Specialized
33 3.0

A group that gathers and studies secret information for a government

intelligence officer
  • Specialized
33 3.7

A person who works for the government to collect and report secret information about threats to the country

A United States government organization that collects secret information about other countries

intelligence agent
  • Specialized
13 3.0

A person who secretly works for a government to get information about the country's safety

military intelligence
  • Specialized
12 3.9

A team in the armed forces that gathers and studies information for military plans

12 4.6

Secret facts about an enemy or danger that governments use

An official who led United States intelligence agencies and the Central Intelligence Agency from 1946 to 2005

intelligence analyst
  • Specialized
8 3.9

A person who collects and studies information about threats for the government or military

8 4.9

A secret activity by a government to gather information about an enemy or threat

military intelligence
  • Specialized
4 2.9

Information about another country's armed forces that helps plan military actions

4 4.1

The ability to notice, understand, and manage your own feelings and those of other people

A part of the United States Army that gathers and studies information for military leaders

intelligence test
  • Specialized
3 3.2

A test that measures how well a person can think and solve problems

signals intelligence
  • Specialized
2 3.9

Information you get by intercepting and studying electronic communications like phone calls and radio transmissions

intelligence activity
  • Specialized
1 3.9

Actions to collect and study information about threats for military or security services

A United States law that requires courts to approve spying on foreign people or groups

A government group in Iraq that gathers secret information and runs secret operations to protect the country

current intelligence
  • Specialized
1 5.7

Recent information about events that people share quickly because it is needed now

A secret United States court that allows electronic monitoring and searches for foreign intelligence

1 6.0

Information people collect and study to help leaders plan long-term national or military actions

A part of the United States government that gives military information to help plan operations and buy weapons

1 3.2

A group in the armed forces that collects and studies information about enemy plans and troops

intelligence quotient
  • Specialized
1 5.1

A number that shows how smart a person is based on a test

1 6.1

A skill for understanding and solving problems without words

A British government group that gathers secret information overseas and protects Britain from foreign spies

security intelligence
  • Specialized
1 4.4

Information about dangerous people or groups used to prevent attacks

tactical intelligence
  • Specialized
1 7.2

Information about an enemy or area used to plan quick military and security actions

verbal intelligence
  • Specialized
1 5.3

Being able to use and understand spoken and written words well

8.0

A low level of thinking ability just above a disability that affects learning and thinking, often allowing independent living

A part of the United States State Department that studies events abroad and advises diplomats

A government body that gathers and reports information to protect Canada

The part of the British government that plans, organizes, and pays for intelligence and security agencies

6.0

Information from listening to and reading other people's messages without their knowledge, used by armies or governments to find threats

combat intelligence
  • Specialized
6.8

Information about enemy forces and land needed to plan and carry out military actions

A Canadian government group that shares and coordinates crime information for police across the country

The main government spy agency in Pakistan that gathers secret information about security

6.4

People gather information by analyzing electronic signals from other countries like radars or radios

4.1

A computer program or device that notices and reacts to human feelings

adult intelligence
  • Specialized
5.0

Average thinking ability of adults in a country or region

A Russian government agency that gathers information and carries out operations abroad

A US Marine Corps unit that gathers and gives information for Marine missions worldwide

A part of the British government that protects the country from spies and other internal threats

A British government service that gathers secret information abroad and runs secret operations

intelligence cell
  • Specialized
7.2

A small secret group that watches places or people to gather information

A government group from another country that collects secret information

The main spy agency of Pakistan that gathers information inside and outside the country

A group of US agencies that collect and share secret information to protect the country

United States government agency that makes and studies maps and satellite images for national security

A part of the U.S. Treasury that shares intelligence with officials who work on other countries' money and trade

A United States Navy agency that gathers and studies information for security and operations

security intelligence
  • Specialized
4.1

Information about online threats and what attackers do used to stop cyber attacks

A Canadian independent group that checks the security service to make sure it follows the law and protects people's rights

7.2

Information from automatic device measurements used to monitor and protect systems

Information from intercepted signals about foreign missile or space activity

Information about land, plants, roads, and buildings that helps plan military actions

Thinking ability that is much lower than most people's and shown by standard tests

A group of United States government agencies that collect and share secret information to protect the country

How Intelligent

genius
252 4.9
intelligence
418 3.0
adult intelligence
  • Specialized
5.0

Surface Forms

intelligence singular
intelligences plural

Morphology

intelligence = intelligent (transparent) = intelligent + ence

Formed regularly from the adjective 'intelligent' with the noun-forming suffix '-ence', so the state or quality is directly derived.

Etymology

Intelligence comes from the old Latin verb intelligere, made of inter- 'between' and legere 'to choose or read', the same root you see in select. So, to have intelligence is like 'picking out' the right idea or solution and understanding it.