intellectual
gb/ˌɪntəlˈɛkt͡ʃuəl/ us/ˌɪntəlˈɛkt͡ʃuəl/
B2
English
~ 3800
intellektuális, szellemi, értelmiségi, gondolkodó, intellektuel
B2
1
szellemi
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is intellectual
She enjoys intellectual discussions about philosophy.
Szereti a filozófiáról szóló intellektuális beszélgetéseket.
The book is full of intellectual challenges.
A könyv tele van szellemi kihívásokkal.
He has an intellectual approach to solving problems.
The conference attracts many intellectual leaders.
Art can be both emotional and intellectual.
Learner examples
She likes intellectual talks.
Szereti az intellektuális beszélgetéseket.
He is an intellectual person.
Intellektuális beállítottságú ember.
The game needs intellectual skill.
They had an intellectual meeting.
It was an intellectual idea.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'intellectual' with 'intelligent'. 'Intellectual' describes something related to thinking, while 'intelligent' describes being smart.
Meaning
Relating to mental activity
Collocations
intellectual ability
|intellectual life
|intellectual property
|intellectual pursuit
Synonyms
mental (More general, refers to anything related to the mind, not just complex thinking.)
|
cognitive (More technical, often used in psychology or science.)
Antonyms
physical (Refers to the body or physical activity instead of mental activity.)
Themes
education
|thinking
|culture
|core_vocabulary
Definition
About using the mind to think and understand ideas.
Relating to or involving the ability to think in an intelligent and logical way.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is an intellectual
The debate featured two well-known intellectuals.
A vitában két ismert értelmiségi vett részt.
She was recognized as one of the great intellectuals of her time.
Korának egyik nagy gondolkodójaként tartották számon.
Intellectuals often influence political movements.
The cafe was a meeting place for artists and intellectuals.
He is considered a leading intellectual in environmental studies.
Learner examples
He is an important intellectual.
Fontos értelmiségi személyiség.
She met many intellectuals at the event.
Sok értelmiségivel találkozott a rendezvényen.
The city has many famous intellectuals.
He wants to be an intellectual.
Intellectuals write many books.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'intellectual' (noun) with 'academic'. Academics work in education; intellectuals may work outside it too.
Meaning
A person who thinks deeply
Collocations
leading intellectual
|public intellectual
|prominent intellectual
Synonyms
scholar (Often used for someone in academia; more formal.)
|
thinker (Broader term for someone who thinks deeply, not necessarily academic.)
Antonyms
ignoramus (A person who is ignorant or lacks knowledge.)
Themes
education
|culture
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person who studies and thinks about important ideas.
A person who spends a lot of time studying and thinking about serious subjects such as ideas, culture, and philosophy.
Grammar
Dictionary form
intellectual
IPA
GB/ˌɪntəlˈɛkt͡ʃuəl/
US/ˌɪntəlˈɛkt͡ʃuəl/
Syllables & stress
in - tel - lec - tu - al (5 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (lec)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: intellectual
Noun
- Base: intellectual
- Plural: intellectuals
Word family
Forms
intellectuals
noun
Core family
intellect
noun B2
intellectually
adverb C1
Related words
intellectualize
verb
Negative and opposite forms
anti-intellectual
adjective
Advanced or less common
intellectualism
noun
anti-intellectualism
noun
Expressions
public intellectual
1/pˈʌblɪk ˌɪntəlˈɛkt͡ʃuəl/
fixed phrase
Thinker who shares ideas widely
A person who talks or writes about important ideas for the public.
Examples
- She became known as a public intellectual after her TV series on history.
- Public intellectuals help shape public opinion.
intellectual property
1/ˌɪntəlˈɛkt͡ʃuəl pɹˈɑpɚti/
fixed phrase
formal
legal ownership of creative works
Things like ideas, writing, art, or inventions that the law protects as belonging to someone.
Examples
- Copyright is a form of intellectual property.
- The company registered its logo as intellectual property.
intellectual property
2/ˌɪntəlˈɛkt͡ʃuəl pɹˈɑpɚti/
fixed phrase
Legal rights for creations of the mind
Ideas, designs, and inventions that someone owns by law.
Examples
- The company is fighting to protect its intellectual property.
- Patents are a form of intellectual property.