in·tel·lec·tu·al
ˌin-tə-ˈlek-chə-wəl 
-chəl,
-shwəl,
-chü(-ə)l
1
2
a
: given to study, reflection, and speculation
b
: engaged in activity requiring the creative use of the intellect
intellectual playwrights
1
: an intellectual person
2
intellectuals plural, archaic
: intellectual powers
Synonyms
Examples of intellectual in a Sentence
Adjective
the social and intellectual life of the campus
as the daughter of college professors, she's used to being around intellectual people
Noun
He thinks that he's an intellectual, but he doesn't know what he's talking about.
She's a hard worker but she's no great intellectual.
a café where artists and intellectuals mingle
Recent Examples on the Web
Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
Clark is a recent graduate of Athlete Leadership University, a collegiate-style program for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
—Sarah Kelly, The Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2025
Mariam Memarsadeghi, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
Nobody escaped his pen: the Church, intellectuals, politics, politicians and governments, kings and queens.
—Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for intellectual 
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Adjective
The college experience still offers intellectual development, mentorship, and access to opportunities that AI can’t replicate.
—Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
Clark is a recent graduate of Athlete Leadership University, a collegiate-style program for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
—Sarah Kelly, The Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
The proudly backward were validated by self-loathing Western intellectuals, leading philosophers such as Michel Foucault who saw in the revolution a thrilling rebuke to liberal democracy when communism no longer was.
—Mariam Memarsadeghi, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
Nobody escaped his pen: the Church, intellectuals, politics, politicians and governments, kings and queens.
—Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for intellectual
Articles Related to intellectual
Dictionary Entries Near intellectual
Cite this Entry
“Intellectual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intellectual. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
intellectual
1 of 2 adjective
in·tel·lec·tu·al
ˌint-ᵊl-ˈek-ch(ə-w)əl
1
: relating to the intellect or understanding
2
: having intellect to a high degree : engaged in or given to learning and thinking
an intellectual person
3
: requiring study and thought
intellectual games
intellectual
2 of 2 noun
: an intellectual person
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