Intelligence

/ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒəns/

Meaning & Definition

noun
The ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills.
Her intelligence was evident in her ability to solve complex problems quickly.
The capacity to understand, reason, and learn.
Children with high intelligence often excel in academic settings.
Information gathered by espionage or reconnaissance.
The military received intelligence about enemy movement.
The collection of information about an enemy or potential enemy.
The spy agency provided critical intelligence to the government.
A national effort to gather information for the purpose of national security.
Intelligence agencies play a vital role in protecting national interests.

Etymology

From Middle French 'intelligence', from Latin 'intelligentia', from 'intelligere' meaning 'to understand'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

emotional intelligence
The ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions and the emotions of others.
artificial intelligence
The simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn.
national intelligence
Government agencies and organizations dedicated to gathering information pertinent to national security.

Related Words

intellect
The faculty of reasoning and understanding objectively.
cognition
The mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought.
genius
Exceptional intellectual or creative power or other natural ability.

Slang Meanings

Brain power
He's got some serious brain power when it comes to science.
Smarty pants
Don't be such a smarty pants; we all know you’re good at math.