intelligent

/ɪnˈtelɪdʒənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈtelɪdʒənt/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈte-lə-jənt/ (ame, mw)

intelligent — adjective

1. having or showing the natural ability to learn, understand, and think clearly an

1.形容詞A2
釋義

having or showing the natural ability to learn, understand, and think clearly and quickly

例句

Nicholas is the most intelligent student in his physics class this semester.

collocation: intelligent + student (person)

The dolphins at the aquarium showed intelligent behaviour during the training session.

collocation: intelligent + behaviour (animals)

同義詞
  • clever

    suggests quick-wittedness and problem-solving skill; slightly more informal than 'intelligent'

  • bright

    warmer, more informal tone; often used for children or students

  • smart

    most common informal alternative in American English; carries a practical, quick-learning nuance

  • brainy

    very informal; emphasises academic or intellectual ability with a positive, slightly playful tone

反義詞
  • unintelligent

    direct opposite; more formal and less common than 'stupid'

  • stupid

    stronger and more negative; not a precise opposite in style

  • dull

    old-fashioned; suggests slowness in understanding

文法句型

adjective + noun (an intelligent student)

be + adjective (she is intelligent)

adverb + adjective (very intelligent)

用法筆記

Gradable: you can say 'more intelligent' or 'the most intelligent'. Typically describes people or animals. For objects or systems, it sometimes appears in technical or marketing contexts (e.g., 'intelligent device').

常見錯誤

❌She is an intelligent woman with long hair.
✅She is an intelligent woman with a degree in engineering.
💡'Intelligent' describes mental ability, not physical appearance; pair it with details about someone's mind or achievements.
❌My dog is very intelligent, he can open the cupboard.
✅My dog is very smart, he can open the cupboard.
💡'Intelligent' sounds formal for animals; 'smart' or 'clever' is more natural in everyday speech about pets.

2. done with or showing careful thought and good judgment

2.形容詞B2
釋義

done with or showing careful thought and good judgment

例句

Joaquín's intelligent analysis of the market helped the company avoid a serious loss.

collocation: intelligent + analysis / decision

The judge asked several intelligent questions during the court hearing this morning.

同義詞
  • astute

    suggests sharp, practical judgment, especially in business or politics; more formal

  • perceptive

    emphasises the ability to notice and understand things others miss

  • insightful

    focuses on deep understanding that leads to a valuable observation

  • shrewd

    practical and clever, sometimes with a slightly self-interested tone

反義詞
  • foolish

    describes decisions or actions that lack good judgment

  • unwise

    more formal; describes choices that are not sensible

文法句型

adjective + noun (an intelligent decision)

be + adjective (her analysis was intelligent)

用法筆記

Unlike Sense 1, which describes a person's general mental ability, this sense describes the result of thinking — a decision, analysis, question, or choice. The thing itself shows careful thought rather than the person being generally smart.

常見錯誤

❌She is an intelligent judge, so everyone respects her.
✅The judge's intelligent ruling earned everyone's respect.
💡For sense 2, describe the outcome (ruling/decision), not the person in general. Use sense 1 for describing a person's overall ability.
❌He made an intelligent guess without any information.
✅He made an intelligent guess based on the available data.
💡This sense implies thought and reasoning; if no information or logic was used, 'lucky' or 'wild' is more appropriate.