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| Date: | 1500-1600 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Origin: | , present participle of intelligere, intellegere 'to understand', from inter- ( INTER-) + legere 'to gather, choose' |
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in‧tel‧li‧gent S3
1 an intelligent person has a high level of mental ability and is good at understanding ideas and thinking clearly : 
Sontag was once famously described as the most intelligent woman in America.
Sontag was once famously described as the most intelligent woman in America.2 an intelligent comment, question, conversation etc shows that you have thought about something carefully and understand it well : an intelligent question You can't have an intelligent conversation with him.
an intelligent questionYou can't have an intelligent conversation with him.3 an intelligent creature is able to think and understand :
4 an intelligent machine, system etc is able to learn and use information
—intelligently adverb
WORD FOCUS: intelligent 
WORD FOCUS: intelligent 
similar words: clever especially BrE/smart especially AmE good at learning or understanding things quickly
bright intelligent - used especially about young people
brilliant a brilliant scientist, writer, student, historian etc is extremely intelligent and does very good work
brainy informal very intelligent and good at studying
gifted a gifted child is extremely intelligent
wise a wise person has a lot of experience and knowledge, and can give good advice
cunning/crafty good at using your intelligence to trick people
intelligent people: genius someone who is extremely intelligent and has great ideas
intellectual someone who is well-educated and interested in art, science, or literature at a high level
intelligentsia a country's intellectuals, considered as a single group
