intelligentzia
Definition
- 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.