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
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. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
McKinley displayed plenty of intellectual flexibility, manifested not just in his Hawaii and Cuba maneuverings but also in his willingness to alter his longtime advocacy of high protective tariffs and craft a new policy more in keeping with a changing world.
—Robert W. Merry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025
James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
Labor strikes were secured from every sector of the economy, the diaspora sustained its solidarity with unrelenting protests across the globe, and internationally, politicians, celebrities, business leaders, intellectuals, artists, musicians, and others were outspoken in their support.
—Mariam Memarsadeghi, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intellectual
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Adjective
Many companies unknowingly create environments that discourage intellectual exploration, leading employees to disengage from problem-solving and creative thinking.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
McKinley displayed plenty of intellectual flexibility, manifested not just in his Hawaii and Cuba maneuverings but also in his willingness to alter his longtime advocacy of high protective tariffs and craft a new policy more in keeping with a changing world.
—Robert W. Merry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
Although other Russian intellectuals have called for Ukraine’s incorporation into the Russian Federation, none have done so for quite so long, or with such a murderous tone, as Dugin.
—James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
Labor strikes were secured from every sector of the economy, the diaspora sustained its solidarity with unrelenting protests across the globe, and internationally, politicians, celebrities, business leaders, intellectuals, artists, musicians, and others were outspoken in their support.
—Mariam Memarsadeghi, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intellectual
Articles Related to intellectual
Cite this Entry
“Intellectual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intellectual. Accessed 13 Mar. 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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