What does intelligent mean?
Intelligent describes someone or something that is capable of learning, reasoning, understanding, and applying knowledge effectively. In people, the word usually suggests strong mental ability, perceptiveness, and good judgment, though it can also be used more generally for thoughtful or sensible behaviour. “She made an intelligent decision” is a typical example, where the adjective points to a choice based on careful understanding rather than luck. Modern usage extends the word to computers and software: an intelligent system may learn from information, recognise patterns, or respond to changing conditions. The term is positive but not necessarily emotional, and it can sometimes imply cool or detached reasoning. It is broadly used in both British and American English.
adjectiveHaving the ability to acquire and apply knowledge, reason effectively, and understand situations. It can also describe behaviour or systems that display thoughtful, perceptive, or well-informed judgment.
- Having a high degree of learning, reasoning ability, or mental development.
- Showing good judgment, perceptiveness, or thoughtfulness.
- Capable of understanding and processing information, as in an intelligent system.
"Her intelligent analysis helped the team identify a solution that had been overlooked."
"The intelligent student asked a question that changed how the class understood the problem."
"The company developed an intelligent system that learns from previous data."
"It was an intelligent decision to postpone the launch until the software had been thoroughly tested."
The word intelligent comes from the Latin intellegere, meaning “to understand,” so its core idea is not merely being clever but making sense of the world.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of intelligent
Intelligent comes through Old French from Latin intellegere, a compound of inter (“between”) and legere (“to choose, gather, or read”), originally conveying the idea of picking out or gathering what is understood. The associated noun intellect and the English form intelligence developed from the same Latin intellectual family. The word entered English in the late medieval period and initially referred to understanding or the power of comprehension before acquiring its modern association with mental acuity.
Related word forms
How intelligent is actually used
In general use, intelligent often praises mental ability or sound judgment. It can also describe machines or software that adapt or respond intelligently, although this usage is increasingly familiar from the phrase “artificial intelligence.” The word is generally neutral and broadly understood in British and American English.
Easily confused with intelligent
An intelligent person is mentally capable and perceptive, whereas intelligible language or information is understandable.