intellectual
/ˌɪntəˈlektʃuəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪntəˈlektʃuəl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌin-tə-ˈlek-chə-wəl -chəl, -shwəl, -chü(-ə)l/ (ame, mw) · /ˌɪn.təlˈek.tʃu.əl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪn.t̬əlˈek.tʃu.əl/ (ame, ipa)
intellectual — adjective
- intellectualpositive
- more intellectualcomparative
- most intellectualsuperlative
1. relating to the mind's ability to think, reason, and understand complex subjects
relating to the mind's ability to think, reason, and understand complex subjects, rather than involving physical actions or emotions
Chess is an intellectual game that demands careful planning and logical thinking.
intellectual + noun — common pattern for mental-activity nouns
Lien chose a career that offered intellectual challenges rather than physical labour.
Reading philosophy was an intellectual exercise that stretched Omar's mind in new directions.
Tendai valued intellectual honesty above all else in her academic research.
For young learners, simple puzzles can be an excellent intellectual challenge.
- cognitive
more technical/formal; used in psychology and science contexts rather than everyday description
- mental
broader, covering memory and basic thinking; less emphasis on complexity and reasoning
- rational
focuses on logical decision-making rather than emotional influence; does not imply interest in ideas
- physical
relating to the body rather than the mind
- emotional
based on feelings rather than logic or reasoning
- instinctive
based on natural impulse rather than conscious thought
文法句型
intellectual + noun
be + intellectual
用法筆記
Common before nouns that describe mental activities or qualities (intellectual challenge, intellectual curiosity, intellectual growth). Often contrasted with physical, emotional, or instinctive in academic writing.
常見錯誤
2. enjoying serious thinking and the study of complex ideas; describing someone who
enjoying serious thinking and the study of complex ideas; describing someone who reads widely, debates thoughtfully, and values learning for its own sake
Vikram comes from an intellectual family where everyone enjoys reading and debate.
intellectual family — describing a person's environment or character
The local bookshop became a meeting place for intellectual people who loved discussing ideas.
Élise was known as an intellectual student who always asked thoughtful questions in class.
The conference attracted an intellectual crowd of professors, writers, and researchers from around the world.
Reuben preferred intellectual conversation about science and history over casual small talk.
- uneducated
lacking formal learning or exposure to ideas
- anti-intellectual
hostile or indifferent to ideas and learning
- practical
focused on hands-on doing rather than abstract thinking
文法句型
intellectual + noun
be + intellectual
用法筆記
Typically used before nouns that describe people or groups (intellectual family, intellectual crowd, intellectual people). Can also describe a person directly: She is very intellectual.
常見錯誤
intellectual — noun
- intellectualsingular
- intellectualsplural
1. a person who is deeply interested in serious ideas and complex topics; someone w
a person who is deeply interested in serious ideas and complex topics; someone whose work or life centres on reading, writing, and thoughtful discussion of cultural or academic subjects
Christopher worked as an intellectual, writing essays on philosophy and social justice.
The university invited several well-known intellectuals to speak at the conference.
countable noun: an intellectual / the intellectuals
As an intellectual, Ignacio spent most of his time reading and writing about politics.
Liang became an intellectual after years of studying literature and history at university.
The city's intellectuals often gathered at the library to debate new policies.
- philistine
a person who has no interest in or understanding of cultural or intellectual activities
文法句型
an intellectual
the intellectuals
用法筆記
Countable noun. Often appears in the plural (intellectuals) to refer to a social or professional group. The word carries a slightly formal register and is common in academic and political discussion.