cerebral

/səˈriːbrəl/ (bre, ipa) · [sɚˈibrəl] /səˈriːbrəl/ (ame, ipa) · [sɚˈibrəl] /sə-ˈrē-brəl How to pronounce cerebral (audio) ˈser-ə- How to pronounce cerebral (audio) ˈse-rə-/ (ame, mw)

cerebral — adjective

  • cerebralpositive
  • more cerebralcomparative
  • most cerebralsuperlative

1. connected with the brain, especially the cerebrum

1.形容詞C2
釋義

connected with the brain, especially the cerebrum

例句

The scan showed swelling in the cerebral arteries near Bao's left temple.

medical collocation: cerebral arteries

Doctors moved Iker after the fall because they feared a cerebral bleed.

medical event: cerebral bleed

同義詞
  • brain

    less formal and often used in everyday descriptions rather than medical phrasing

  • neural

    broader; can refer to the whole nervous system, not only the brain

  • neurological

    usually relates to disorders or the nervous system more generally

反義詞
  • peripheral

    relates to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord

  • bodily

    general body-related term, not specifically tied to the brain

文法句型

cerebral + noun (artery, tissue, cortex, palsy)

cerebral function

用法筆記

Used mainly in medical or scientific writing before nouns such as artery, tissue, cortex, or palsy. Distinguish from senses 2 and 3, which are about thought and personality rather than the body.

常見錯誤

❌The lecture gave a cerebral answer to the problem.
✅The lecture gave an intellectual answer to the problem.
💡In this sense, cerebral refers to the brain as an organ, not to clever thinking.

2. requiring close thought and mental effort, with more emphasis on ideas than on e

2.形容詞C1
釋義

requiring close thought and mental effort, with more emphasis on ideas than on emotion

例句

Romi enjoys cerebral puzzles during long train rides home.

collocation: cerebral puzzles

The film is more cerebral than emotional, so some viewers find it cold.

contrast: more cerebral than emotional

同義詞
  • intellectual

    broader and can describe both ideas and people; cerebral often suggests less emotion

  • analytical

    focuses on breaking ideas into parts rather than on an overall intellectual tone

  • thought-provoking

    emphasizes making people think, not necessarily the cool or serious style

反義詞
  • emotional

    centres on feeling rather than thought

  • instinctive

    guided by immediate feeling instead of analysis

  • sentimental

    shows or seeks tender emotion rather than cool reflection

文法句型

be cerebral

cerebral + noun (film, puzzle, debate, novel)

more cerebral than + adjective

用法筆記

Often describes books, films, debates, games, or humour that reward analysis. Distinguish from sense 3: sense 2 describes the activity, work, or style itself, while sense 3 describes a person or personal manner.

常見錯誤

❌The speech was cerebral because it made everyone cry.
✅The speech was emotional because it made everyone cry.
💡Cerebral stresses ideas and analysis, not strong feeling.

3. showing intelligence and a taste for serious ideas, with little interest in sent

3.形容詞C1
釋義

showing intelligence and a taste for serious ideas, with little interest in sentimentality

例句

Christopher has a cerebral style that can seem distant at parties.

cerebral style describing a person

Folake's cerebral humour made the interview lively without turning silly.

cerebral humour for a person's tone

同義詞
  • intellectual

    the closest general synonym; cerebral often adds a cooler, less emotional impression

  • thoughtful

    can also mean considerate, so it is warmer than cerebral

  • scholarly

    suggests academic study more strongly than cerebral does

反義詞
  • impulsive

    acts on immediate feeling rather than careful thought

  • frivolous

    lacking seriousness in thought or taste

  • sentimental

    guided more by tender feeling than by ideas

文法句型

be cerebral

cerebral + noun (style, friend, humour, person)

用法筆記

Usually describes a person's manner, taste, or social style, often suggesting that they focus on ideas more than emotional display. Distinguish from sense 2, which describes a film, debate, or other activity rather than the person.

常見錯誤

❌My manager is cerebral, so she must be cold and uncaring.
✅My manager is cerebral, but she is still warm and supportive.
💡Cerebral suggests an intellectual style, not a lack of kindness.