Definition

1. Noun:
   • An educated and intellectual elite: The intelligentsia refers to a social class or group of people who are highly educated, engage in complex intellectual and cultural pursuits, and are often seen as shaping or criticizing society's ideas and values. This group typically includes writers, artists, teachers, academics, and professionals.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The novel sharply criticizes the political apathy of the country's intelligentsia.
  • A significant portion of the intelligentsia supported the reform movement.
  • She is considered a leading voice among the urban intelligentsia.

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries connotations of social responsibility, critical thought, and leadership in cultural or political matters. It is frequently used in sociological and political contexts to discuss the role of intellectuals in society.
• It can be used with a definite article ("the intelligentsia") to refer to this group as a collective entity within a specific nation or community.

Variants and Related Words

• Intellectual (noun): An individual engaged in critical thinking and research. (e.g., )
• Intelligentsia is historically associated with the educated class in pre-revolutionary Russia and Eastern Europe but is now used more broadly.

Synonyms

• Educated class
• Literati (often refers specifically to writers and scholars)
• Cognoscenti (refers to those with expert knowledge, especially in the arts)

Notes

• The word is typically used as a singular collective noun (e.g., ).
• It does not have direct phrasal verbs or idioms derived from it, as it is a noun describing a social category.

Noun

1. an educated and intellectual elite