intelligence

noun

(chiefly uncountable) The capacity of mind, especially to understand principles, truths, facts or meanings, acquire knowledge, and apply it to practice; the ability to comprehend and learn; the ability to process sentient experience to generate true beliefs with a justified degree of confidence.

(chiefly uncountable) The quality of making use or having made use of such capacities: depth of understanding, mental quickness.

(countable) An entity that has such capacities.

(chiefly uncountable) Information, often secret, about an enemy or about hostile activities.

(countable) A political or military department, agency or unit designed to gather information, usually secret, about the enemy or about hostile activities.

(dated) Acquaintance; intercourse; familiarity.

Roots

interintel- · Latin · between, within lego-lig · Latin · gather, choose

Synonyms for intelligence

smartsv intellectn counterintelligencen clevernessn sagacityn insightn wisdomn perspicacityn acumenn shrewdnessn brainsn counterespionagen spyingn espionagen astutenessn knowledgen aptituden intellectionn

Synonyms & related words for intelligence

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of intelligence — including smarts, intellect, counterintelligence, cleverness, sagacity, insight. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to intelligence

Explore words related to intelligence — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include unintelligence, intelligencer, brainpower, smartness, insightfulness, sapience, perceptiveness, wits. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for intelligence

Common synonyms for intelligence include smarts, intellect, counterintelligence, cleverness, sagacity, insight, wisdom, perspicacity — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does intelligence come from?

The word intelligence breaks down into 2 roots of Latin origin: intel-, from Latin inter (“between, within”); and -lig, from Latin lego (“gather, choose”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.