intelligent

/in'telidʤənt/
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intelligent

An intelligent student solves a complex puzzle.

Definition
  1. Adjective:
    • Having or showing the ability to easily learn, understand, or think about things; bright or clever. This is the core meaning, describing a person or entity with a high mental capacity.
    • Able to process information and use knowledge effectively; showing good judgment or sound reasoning. This meaning focuses on the practical application of intelligence, often in solving problems or making decisions.
    • Endowed with intellect or consciousness, especially to a high degree. This meaning is often used in contexts like science or philosophy to discuss entities capable of complex thought.
Usage Examples
  • Describing a person's mental ability:
    • She is an intelligent student who grasps new concepts quickly.
    • The interview panel was looking for an intelligent and creative candidate.
  • Describing a decision, solution, or action:
    • The engineer proposed an intelligent design that saved both materials and time.
    • Investing in education is an intelligent choice for a country's future.
  • Describing non-human entities or systems:
    • Scientists are searching for signs of intelligent life on other planets.
    • The new software uses intelligent algorithms to predict user behavior.
Advanced Usage
  • "Intelligent design": A controversial concept proposing that certain features of the universe and living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not an undirected process like natural selection.
    • The debate over evolution versus intelligent design continues in some school districts.
  • "Intelligent agent" (in computing/artificial intelligence): A system that perceives its environment and takes actions to achieve goals.
    • An intelligent agent in a smart home can manage heating and lighting based on occupancy.
Variants and Related Words
  • Intelligence (n): The general ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills.
    • Her intelligence and hard work led to her promotion.
  • Intelligently (adv): In a way that shows intelligence.
    • He intelligently redirected the conversation to a safer topic.
  • Intelligentsia (n): The group of people in a society who are highly educated and interested in culture, ideas, and intellectual activities.
    • The novel was popular among the intelligentsia.
Synonyms
  • Clever: Quick to understand, learn, and devise ideas.
  • Bright: Intelligent and quick-witted.
  • Smart: Having or showing a quick-witted intelligence (often very similar to 'intelligent' in American English).
  • Astute: Having an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage.
  • Rational: Based on or in accordance with reason or logic.
Antonyms
  • Stupid: Lacking intelligence or common sense.
  • Unintelligent: Not intelligent.
  • Foolish: Lacking good sense or judgment; unwise.
  • Irrational: Not logical or reasonable.
Related Phrases and Idioms
  • (To be) intelligent about something: To be knowledgeable or act wisely regarding a specific matter.
    • You need to be intelligent about how you manage your finances.
  • Artificially Intelligent: Possessing intelligence demonstrated by machines, as opposed to natural intelligence shown by humans and animals.
    • The car features an artificially intelligent navigation system.
intelligent

An intelligent student solves a complex puzzle.

Adjective
  1. endowed with the capacity to reason
  2. exercising or showing good judgment
    • healthy scepticism
    • a healthy fear of rattlesnakes
    • the healthy attitude of French laws
    • healthy relations between labor and management
    • an intelligent solution
    • a sound approach to the problem
    • sound advice
    • no sound explanation for his decision
  3. possessing sound knowledge
    • well-informed readers
  4. having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree
    • is there intelligent life in the universe?
    • an intelligent question