A person or animal that is intelligent has the ability to think, understand, and learn things quickly and well.
Susan's a very bright and intelligent woman who knows her own mind.
...lively and intelligent conversation.
He ventured the opinion that 'whales are as intelligent as human beings'.
Synonyms: clever, bright, smart, knowing More Synonyms of intelligent
intelligentlyadverb [ADVERB with verb, ADVERB adjective]
They are incapable of thinking intelligently about politics.
2. adjective
Something that is intelligent has the ability to think and understand instead of doing things automatically or by instinct.
An intelligent computer will be an indispensable diagnostic tool for doctors.
...the biggest-ever search for intelligent life elsewhere in the universe.
Synonyms: rational, cognitive, capable of thought, thinking More Synonyms of intelligent
More Synonyms of intelligent
intelligent in British English
(ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒənt)
adjective
1.
having or indicating intelligence
2.
having high intelligence; clever
3.
indicating high intelligence; perceptive
an intelligent guess
4.
guided by reason; rational
5.
(of computerized functions) able to modify action in the light of ongoing events
6. (postpositive; foll byof) archaic
having knowledge or information
they were intelligent of his whereabouts
Derived forms
intelligently (inˈtelligently)
adverb
intelligent in American English
(ɪnˈtɛlədʒənt)
adjective
1.
having or using intelligence; rational
2.
having or showing an alert mind or high intelligence; bright, perceptive, informed, clever, wise, etc.
3.
a.
designating or of a terminal capable of performing certain functions with the data, independently of the computer
see also dumb (sense 8)
b.
equipped with a microprocessor or computer
an intelligent missile
4. Archaic
aware (of something)
SYNONYMY NOTE: intelligent implies the ability to learn or understand from experience or to respond successfullyto a new experience; , clever implies quickness in learning or understanding, but sometimes connotes a lack ofthoroughness or depth; , alert emphasizes quickness in sizing up a situation; , bright, smart are somewhat informal, less precise equivalents for any of the preceding; , brilliant implies an unusually high degree of intelligence; , intellectual suggests keen intelligence coupled with interest and ability in the more advancedfields of knowledge
OPPOSITES: stupid, dull
Derived forms
intelligently (inˈtelligently)
adverb
Word origin
L intelligens, prp. of intelligere: see intellect
Examples of 'intelligent' in a sentence
intelligent
If you are single, the most intelligent person you have met could also be the most caring.
The Sun (2016)
The chances for intelligent life look very different.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This intelligent human being has been killed to satisfy a destructive human need.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Earlier series had better guest lists and more intelligent conversations.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
We have met some of the most intelligent and able people in the world.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
They are always ready with an intelligent guess when faced with unfamiliar vocabulary.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You may be a very intelligent person.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
He was a bright intelligent young man of my own age.
Aldiss, Brian Somewhere East of Life (1994)
He is an intelligent man who understands the game and the people who play it.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
She certainly is a lively and intelligent dog.
Goshgarian, Gary Exploring language (6th edn) (1995)
There is no evidence that more intelligent animals have more descendants.
Evans, Peter & Deehan, Geoff The Descent of Mind - the how and why of intelligence (1990)
It was a sort of intelligent guess by a committee.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
One website ranked him as the ninth most intelligent person in the world.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He does not feel the pressure and very bright and intelligent in his style of play.
The Sun (2016)
He was intelligent and perceptive in choosing when to make his interventions.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Claims of intelligent animal conversation remain controversial.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Imagine that on only a handful of these worlds life evolved into intelligent life and built a civilization.
The Sun (2011)
But the idea of holding an intelligent conversation with an animal has only seriously been explored with chimpanzees.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Yet not once in the entire film do we see or hear any sign of intelligent life from her.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
We need to be grown up about this and realise that intelligent human beings shouldhave the same rights as our pets.
The Sun (2008)
You'll be able to ask intelligent questions and zero in on particular problem areas.
Christianity Today (2000)
People don't understand that he is intelligent enough to understand it.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Cabin crew are supposed to be intelligent, sane human beings.
The Sun (2010)
I tell them we are going to have an intelligent conversation and find a solution to the problem.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Lively, intelligent popular history.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In other languages
intelligent
British English: intelligent /ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒənt/ ADJECTIVE
An intelligent person has the ability to think, understand, and learn things quickly and well.
...the most intelligent man I have ever met.
American English: intelligent
Arabic: ذَكِيٌّ
Brazilian Portuguese: inteligente
Chinese: 聪明的
Croatian: inteligentan
Czech: inteligentní
Danish: intelligent
Dutch: intelligent
European Spanish: inteligente
Finnish: älykäs
French: intelligent
German: intelligent
Greek: ευφυής
Italian: intelligente
Japanese: 利口な
Korean: 지적인
Norwegian: intelligent
Polish: inteligentny
European Portuguese: inteligente
Romanian: inteligent
Russian: умный
Latin American Spanish: inteligente
Swedish: intelligent
Thai: ฉลาด
Turkish: zeki
Ukrainian: розумний
Vietnamese: thông minh
All related terms of 'intelligent'
intelligent card
a plastic card with integrated circuits used for storing and processing computer data
intelligent design
a theory that rejects the theory of natural selection , arguing that the complexities of the universe and of all life suggest an intelligent cause in the form of a supreme creator
intelligent terminal
a computer operating terminal that can carry out some data processing , as well as sending data to and receiving it from a central processor
intelligent knowledge-based system
a computer system in which the properties of a database and an expert system are combined to enable the system to store and process data and make deductions from stored data
laser card
a plastic card with integrated circuits used for storing and processing computer data
smart card
A smart card is a plastic card which looks like a credit card and can store and process computer data.
IKBS
intelligent knowledge-based system
Chinese translation of 'intelligent'
intelligent
(ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒənt)
adj
[person]聪(聰)明的 (cōngmíng de)
[decision, conversation]明智的 (míngzhì de)
[machine, life]智能的 (zhìnéng de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
having or showing intelligence
Rita is a highly intelligent woman.
Synonyms
clever
My sister has always been the clever one in our family.
bright
I was convinced that he was brighter than average.
smart
He thinks he's much smarter than Sarah.
knowing
quick
The older adults are not as quick in their thinking.
sharp
He is very sharp and swift with repartee.
acute
His relaxed exterior hides an extremely acute mind.
alert
His grandfather is still alert at 93.
rational
penetrating
a penetrating mind
enlightened
apt
She was never a very apt student.
discerning
tailor-made holidays to suit the more discerning traveller
knowledgeable
astute
He made a series of astute business decisions.
well-informed
brainy (informal)
I don't class myself as being very intelligent or brainy.
perspicacious
a man of perspicacious judgment
quick-witted
He is quick-witted and rarely lets an opportunity slip by.
sagacious (formal)
a wise and sagacious leader
Opposites
stupid
,
dull
,
foolish
,
ignorant
,
obtuse
,
unintelligent
,
dim-witted
2 (adjective)
Definition
(of a computerized device) able to initiate or modify action in the light of ongoing events
a new generation of intelligent machines
Synonyms
smart (informal)
automatic
Modern trains have automatic doors.
automated
highly automated production lines
robotic
self-regulating
3 (adjective)
the search for intelligent life elsewhere in the universe
Synonyms
rational
Man, as a rational being, may act against his impulses.
cognitive
capable of thought
thinking
Thinking people on both sides will applaud this book.