cerebral
gb/sɚˈibɹəl/ us/sɚˈibɹəl/
B2
English
~ 9600
intellektuális, agyi, cerebrális
C1
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is (very) cerebral
The film was too cerebral for viewers who just wanted mindless entertainment.
A film túl intellektuális volt azoknak a nézőknek, akik csak agyatlan szórakozásra vágytak.
She has a very cerebral sense of humor that not everyone understands.
Nagyon intellektuális humora van, amit nem mindenki ért.
It’s a slow, cerebral novel that explores big philosophical questions.
He prefers more cerebral games that require strategy and planning.
The debate quickly moved from emotional stories to a more cerebral discussion of policy details.
Learner examples
The book is very cerebral and hard to read quickly.
A könyv nagyon intellektuális, és nehéz gyorsan olvasni.
My brother likes cerebral movies that make him think.
A bátyám szereti az olyan intellektuális filmeket, amelyek elgondolkodtatják.
This is a quiet, cerebral game where you must plan every move.
Some students enjoy a more cerebral style of teaching.
The article is quite cerebral and uses many difficult ideas.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'cerebral' simply means 'smart'. It usually describes things (books, films, games, conversations) that require serious thinking, not just a person’s general intelligence. Also, this meaning is different from the medical meaning related to the brain.
Meaning
intellectual rather than emotional or physical
Collocations
cerebral film
|cerebral drama
|cerebral approach
|highly cerebral
|quietly cerebral
|more cerebral than
Synonyms
intellectual (Very close in meaning, but slightly more common and neutral; 'cerebral' often sounds more formal or critical/analytical.)
|
brainy (Informal and usually used about people, not works of art or activities.)
|
thoughtful (Can mean kind or reflective; not always about complex or abstract thinking like 'cerebral'.)
Antonyms
emotional (Emphasizes feelings rather than logic or thought, which is the opposite focus of 'cerebral' in this sense.)
|
action-packed (Used for movies, games, etc. that are full of physical action instead of quiet thinking or ideas.)
Themes
intelligence
|personality
|art
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Describing something that needs a lot of thinking and understanding, not strong feelings or fast action.
Intellectual in nature; involving careful thought, analysis, and reason rather than emotion, instinct, or physical action.
B2
TECHNICAL
2
agyi
B2
cerebrális
C2
Usage pattern:
cerebral [noun]
The MRI showed reduced cerebral blood flow in the affected area.
Az MRI csökkent agyi véráramlást mutatott az érintett területen.
Cerebral arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to the brain.
Az agyi artériák oxigéndús vért szállítanak az agyba.
The patient suffered a cerebral aneurysm that required emergency surgery.
Researchers are studying how cerebral activity changes during sleep.
Cerebral cortex development is crucial for higher cognitive functions.
Learner examples
The doctor checked her for cerebral damage after the accident.
Az orvos a baleset után megvizsgálta, történt-e nála agyi károsodás.
A stroke is a problem with the blood in the cerebral area.
A stroke az agyi vérkeringés zavara.
Cerebral blood flow is important for a healthy brain.
The scan showed a problem in his cerebral cortex.
Cerebral diseases can affect memory and movement.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this medical meaning with the more general 'intellectual' meaning. In terms like 'cerebral palsy' or 'cerebral cortex', 'cerebral' always means 'related to the brain', not 'intelligent'.
Meaning
relating to the brain
Collocations
cerebral cortex
|cerebral hemisphere
|cerebral blood flow
|cerebral arteries
|cerebral aneurysm
|cerebral palsy
Synonyms
brain (Used as an attributive noun (e.g., 'brain damage'); less formal and technical than 'cerebral'.)
|
cranial (Relates more generally to the skull and head region, not specifically to the cerebrum.)
Antonyms
peripheral (In neurology, refers to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, contrasting with 'cerebral' structures in the brain.)
Themes
medicine
|biology
|anatomy
|science
|health
Definition
Connected to the brain, especially the main part of the brain, in medical or science language.
Relating to the brain, especially to the cerebrum, in medical or biological contexts.
Grammar
Dictionary form
cerebral
IPA
GB/sɚˈibɹəl/
US/sɚˈibɹəl/
Syllables & stress
cereb - ral (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (cereb)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: cerebral
Word family
Related words
brain
noun A2
Advanced or less common
cerebrum
noun
cerebrally
adverb
Expressions
cerebral cortex
1/sɚˈibɹəl kˈɔɹtɛks/
fixed phrase
technical
outer layer of the cerebrum
The thin outside layer of the main part of the brain, which helps with thinking, memory, and senses.
Examples
- The cerebral cortex plays a key role in language and decision-making.
- Damage to the cerebral cortex can lead to serious problems with memory.
- Researchers are mapping activity in the cerebral cortex during problem-solving tasks.
cerebral palsy
1/sɚˈibɹəl pˈɔlzi/
fixed phrase
technical
movement disorder from early brain damage
A medical condition that starts before or soon after birth, where damage to the brain makes it hard to control muscles and movement.
Examples
- Their son was diagnosed with cerebral palsy shortly after he was born.
- People with cerebral palsy may need physical therapy to improve movement.
- The charity raises money to support children living with cerebral palsy.
cerebral hemisphere
1/sɚˈibɹəl hˈɛmɪsfˌɪɹ/
fixed phrase
technical
one half of the cerebrum
One of the two big halves of the main part of the brain, left or right.
Examples
- Each cerebral hemisphere is divided into several lobes with different functions.
- Language is usually controlled by the left cerebral hemisphere.
- The MRI scan revealed damage in the left cerebral hemisphere.
- The stroke affected the right cerebral hemisphere, causing weakness on the left side of his body.
- The two cerebral hemispheres are linked by the corpus callosum.
- Each cerebral hemisphere is responsible for different functions.