Definition

Noun 1. An impression that something might be the case: A feeling or belief about a situation or fact that is not based on conscious reasoning or explicit evidence. 2. Instinctive knowing (without the use of rational processes): The ability to understand or know something immediately, based on feelings rather than facts or logic.

Usage and Examples

• As a noun referring to a feeling or impression:
  • She had a sudden intuition that the letter contained bad news.
  • My intuition tells me we should trust him.
• As a noun referring to the faculty or ability:
  • He makes decisions more by intuition than by careful analysis.
  • A good detective often relies on a combination of evidence and intuition.

Advanced Usage

• "To have an intuition that...": To feel strongly that something is true or will happen.
  • I have an intuition that the market will improve next quarter.
• "To trust/follow one's intuition": To act based on one's gut feeling.
  • When the path forked, she decided to trust her intuition and go left.
• "A woman's intuition": A common, though not scientifically proven, phrase suggesting women have a particularly strong intuitive sense.
  • He joked that her correct guess was just a woman's intuition.

Variants and Related Words

• Intuitive (adjective): Based on or using intuition; having the ability to understand something instinctively.
  • She has an intuitive understanding of complex machinery.
• Intuitively (adverb): In an intuitive manner.
  • He knew intuitively that something was wrong.

Synonyms

• Hunch: A feeling or guess based on intuition rather than known facts.
• Gut feeling/instinct: An instinctive feeling, as opposed to a logical one.
• Sixth sense: A supposed intuitive faculty giving awareness not explained by the five primary senses.

Antonyms

• Reason: The power of the mind to think, understand, and form judgments by a process of logic.
• Analysis: Detailed examination of the elements or structure of something, typically as a basis for discussion or interpretation.
• Rationale: A set of reasons or a logical basis for a course of action or belief.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• "Intuition versus logic": A common contrast between instinctive understanding and reasoned thought.
  • The debate between intuition versus logic is a classic one in philosophy.
• "On intuition": Based on intuition.
  • She acted purely on intuition.

Noun

1. an impression that something might be the case
   • he had an intuition that something had gone wrong
2. instinctive knowing (without the use of rational processes)