intelligence
Intelligence is the ability to learn, think, and understand new things.
Explanation at your level:
Intelligence is a big word for being smart. If you have high intelligence, you learn things fast. You can solve problems easily. It is like having a quick brain.
When you have intelligence, you are good at understanding new ideas. Teachers might say you show great intelligence when you finish a hard puzzle. It is a very useful skill for school and life.
Intelligence is the ability to use your mind to solve problems. We also use this word for secret information. For example, spies collect intelligence to help their country. It is a formal word used in news and books.
Beyond just being 'smart,' intelligence implies a capacity for complex reasoning. In professional settings, we often talk about 'business intelligence' or 'artificial intelligence.' It is a key term when discussing human potential or technological progress.
The term intelligence carries nuance depending on the context. In psychology, it refers to cognitive aptitude, while in geopolitics, it denotes strategic information. It is a sophisticated noun that elevates your writing when discussing human achievement or state security.
Etymologically, intelligence signifies the power of discernment—the ability to 'read between' options. In high-level discourse, it is often contrasted with 'wisdom' or 'instinct.' Whether discussing the evolution of artificial intelligence or the nuances of human cognition, the word remains central to our understanding of the mind and statecraft.
Word in 30 Seconds
- It means mental ability.
- It refers to secret data.
- It is uncountable.
- It is a formal word.
When we talk about intelligence, we are usually describing the brain's incredible ability to process information. It is not just about being 'smart' in school; it encompasses how we adapt to new situations and solve problems in our daily lives.
In a very different context, intelligence refers to the secret information gathered by governments or military agencies. This is why we have 'intelligence agencies' like the CIA or MI6, whose job is to keep a country safe by knowing what others are planning.
The word intelligence travels back to the Latin word intelligentia, which comes from intelligere, meaning 'to understand.' It is a combination of inter (between) and legere (to choose or read).
Historically, it implied the ability to 'read between the lines' or choose the best path among options. By the 15th century, it entered English, and by the 19th century, it gained the military meaning of 'information gathered about an enemy.' It is a fascinating example of how a word for 'thinking' became a word for 'spying'!
You will often see intelligence paired with adjectives like 'high,' 'artificial,' or 'military.' In casual conversation, we might say someone has 'a high level of intelligence,' while in business, we talk about 'competitive intelligence' to describe market research.
It is important to notice the register: while 'smart' is casual, 'intelligence' is a more formal, academic, or professional way to describe cognitive ability. Using it correctly helps you sound more precise and thoughtful.
1. Military intelligence: Often used ironically to suggest something is an oxymoron (a contradiction). 2. Artificial intelligence: The simulation of human intelligence by machines. 3. Emotional intelligence: The ability to understand your own and others' emotions. 4. Gather intelligence: To collect secret data. 5. Intelligence quotient (IQ): A numerical score representing a person's reasoning ability.
Intelligence is an uncountable noun. You don't say 'an intelligence' or 'intelligences' unless you are referring to specific types of secret information in a very technical sense.
Pronounced /ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒəns/, the stress falls on the second syllable. It rhymes loosely with 'negligence' or 'elegance.' Remember to keep the 'g' soft, like the 'j' in 'jump.'
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'elect' (to choose).
Pronunciation Guide
Clear and crisp
Slightly softer vowels
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'g'
- Stressing the wrong syllable
- Adding an 's' at the end
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Common word
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Uncountable nouns
Intelligence is key.
Examples by Level
She has high intelligence.
She is very smart.
Uncountable noun.
He shows great intelligence in class.
The robot has artificial intelligence.
Intelligence is important for learning.
She uses her intelligence to win games.
The spy found secret intelligence.
They study human intelligence.
He has a lot of intelligence.
Intelligence helps us solve problems.
The agency gathered intelligence on the enemy.
She is known for her high intelligence.
Artificial intelligence is changing the world.
He lacks the intelligence to understand this.
The government relies on military intelligence.
Emotional intelligence is key to leadership.
She has a sharp intelligence.
They are testing his intelligence.
The report provided valuable intelligence for the team.
Her emotional intelligence helped resolve the conflict.
We are investing in artificial intelligence research.
The intelligence was gathered from multiple sources.
He possesses a rare, analytical intelligence.
The mission was based on faulty intelligence.
She demonstrated great intelligence during the debate.
Intelligence is often measured by standardized tests.
The intelligence community is monitoring the situation.
He has a practical intelligence that serves him well.
The project requires a high degree of emotional intelligence.
The intelligence gathered proved to be decisive.
She possesses a formidable intelligence.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving.
The intelligence of the move was clear to everyone.
They are analyzing the intelligence reports.
The nuance of his intelligence was evident in his critique.
Strategic intelligence is vital for national security.
She displayed a profound, almost intuitive intelligence.
The intelligence of the design lies in its simplicity.
He was praised for his intellectual intelligence.
The intelligence was classified as top secret.
Her intelligence allowed her to navigate the complex system.
Intelligence is the hallmark of human achievement.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"military intelligence"
often used to imply a contradiction
That plan is like military intelligence.
casual""
""
""
""
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Easily Confused
similar roots
intellect is the power, intelligence is the ability
He has a great intellect.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + has + intelligence
He has intelligence.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
It is uncountable.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a library in your brain.
Native Speakers
Often used in professional settings.
Spy movies
Intelligence = secret data.
No plural
Never say intelligences.
Soft G
Like 'jump'.
Don't say 'an intelligence'
Use 'high intelligence' instead.
Latin roots
Means to choose.
Flashcards
Use it with 'artificial'.
Formal tone
Use it in essays.
Articles
Use 'the' or no article.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
In-tell-i-gence: I can tell by your intelligence.
Visual Association
A glowing lightbulb above a head.
Word Web
Challenge
Use it in a sentence today.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: to understand or choose between
Cultural Context
None
Used heavily in both academic and spy-thriller contexts.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
School
- test of intelligence
- academic intelligence
- show intelligence
Conversation Starters
"Do you think AI is dangerous?"
"How do you define intelligence?"
"Is IQ a good test?"
"What is emotional intelligence?"
"Do you like spy movies?"
Journal Prompts
Define intelligence in your own words.
How does intelligence help in life?
Write about a smart person.
Is intelligence learned?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is uncountable.
Test Yourself
She has high ___.
Correct noun usage.
What is AI?
AI stands for Artificial Intelligence.
Intelligence is a countable noun.
It is uncountable.
Word
Meaning
Matching acronyms.
SVO structure.
Score: /5
Summary
Intelligence is the capacity to think, learn, and act wisely.
- It means mental ability.
- It refers to secret data.
- It is uncountable.
- It is a formal word.
Memory Palace
Imagine a library in your brain.
Native Speakers
Often used in professional settings.
Spy movies
Intelligence = secret data.
No plural
Never say intelligences.
Example
His emotional intelligence helps him navigate complex social situations easily.
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This Word in Other Languages
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