Definition

1. Noun:
   • The intellectual or highly educated class in a society: "intelligentzia" refers to a group of people who are considered the educated elite, often involved in cultural, political, or artistic leadership.

Usage Examples

• (The educated elite met to debate changes.)
• (The intellectual class voiced disapproval.)
• (The educated elite influenced political change.)

Advanced Usage

• "the intelligentzia": often used with the definite article to refer to a specific, recognized group within a society.
  • The intelligentzia in that country has traditionally been small but influential. (The intellectual class is limited in size but powerful.)

Variants and Related Words

• Intelligentsia (noun): an alternate spelling of "intelligentzia", more common in modern English.
  • The intelligentsia often lead social movements. (The educated class leads societal change.)
• Intellectual (noun): a person engaged in critical thinking, study, or creative work, often overlapping with the intelligentzia.
  • She is a respected intellectual in her field. (A person known for scholarly or creative work.)

Synonyms

• Elite: a select group that is superior in terms of ability or qualities.
• Intellectuals: people who engage in serious thought or study.
• Literati: well-educated people who are interested in literature.
• Cognoscenti: people who are especially well-informed about a particular subject.

Related Idioms

• The chattering classes: a derogatory term for the educated middle class who are seen as talkative and opinionated.
  • The chattering classes often dominate media discussions. (The educated elite in public discourse.)

Notes on Usage

• "Intelligentzia" is a loanword from Russian (интеллигенция), and is often used in historical or sociopolitical contexts, especially regarding Eastern Europe. It is less common than "intelligentsia" in contemporary English.