intuition
gb/ˌɪntuˈɪʃən/ us/ˌɪntuˈɪʃən/
B2
English
~ 8600
intuíció, megérzés, sejtés, intuitív belátás
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
trust [someone's] intuition about [something]
She has amazing intuition about people and can tell when someone is lying.
Elképesztő intuíciója van az emberekkel kapcsolatban, és megérzi, ha valaki hazudik.
My intuition told me not to sign the contract, even though the offer looked perfect on paper.
Az intuícióm azt súgta, hogy ne írjam alá a szerződést, pedig papíron tökéletesnek tűnt az ajánlat.
As a manager, he often relies on intuition rather than detailed market reports.
Meditation helped him develop a stronger intuition about which projects to pursue.
Good doctors use both medical knowledge and intuition when making difficult decisions.
Learner examples
My intuition tells me this is a bad idea.
A megérzésem azt súgja, hogy ez rossz ötlet.
I trusted my intuition and took the job.
Hallgattam az intuíciómra, és elfogadtam az állást.
Her intuition about the problem was correct.
Parents often use intuition to help their children.
He has good intuition when he chooses business partners.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "intuition" only for sudden ideas in dangerous situations, but it can be used for any kind of quick understanding (for example, choosing a job or knowing if you like someone). Also, for this sense it is usually uncountable: say "She has good intuition", not "She has a good intuition" when you mean the general ability.
Meaning
instinctive understanding without reasoning
Collocations
trust your intuition
|follow your intuition
|strong intuition
|gut intuition
|female intuition
|mother's intuition
Synonyms
instinct (Often suggests a more basic, animal-like response, while "intuition" can sound more mental or spiritual.)
|
gut feeling (More informal and physical-sounding; emphasizes a feeling in the body rather than a mental sense.)
|
sixth sense (Somewhat informal and slightly dramatic; can suggest a mysterious or special power.)
Antonyms
reasoning (Focuses on careful, logical thought, which intuition specifically does not rely on.)
|
analysis (Emphasizes detailed, step-by-step thinking, the opposite of immediate understanding.)
Themes
emotions
|psychology
|thinking
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The natural ability to know or feel something is true, without thinking about it in a logical way.
The power or ability to understand or know something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning or evidence.
C1
2
Usage pattern:
have an intuition that [clause]
I had an intuition that the meeting would be canceled, and sure enough, it was.
Volt egy olyan megérzésem, hogy az értekezletet le fogják mondani, és valóban így lett.
Her intuition that the company would fail turned out to be accurate.
Pontosnak bizonyult az a megérzése, hogy a cég tönkre fog menni.
He followed an intuition about the design, and it became their most successful product.
My first intuition was that she needed space, not advice.
The scientist had an intuition about the result long before the data proved it.
Learner examples
I have an intuition that it will rain.
Van egy olyan megérzésem, hogy esni fog.
Her intuition was that he was not honest.
Az volt a megérzése, hogy a férfi nem őszinte.
My intuition about the exam questions was correct.
His intuition told him to call his mother.
Their intuition was that the plan would not work.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this sense with a simple wish or hope. An "intuition" is a belief that something is true, not just something you want. It is also more than a random guess; it feels meaningful and often has some hidden reasons from past experience.
Meaning
an instinctive belief or idea
Collocations
have an intuition
|an intuition that [clause]
|my intuition was right
|confirm my intuition
|an intuition about [something]
Synonyms
hunch (Informal; suggests a guess that might or might not be correct, often weaker or more casual than "intuition".)
|
suspicion (Often suggests doubt or something negative, while "intuition" can be neutral or positive.)
Antonyms
evidence (Represents facts or information that support a belief, which intuition-based beliefs do not rely on.)
Themes
thinking
|emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A particular thought or idea that feels true, even though you do not have clear reasons or facts.
A specific belief, idea, or judgment that someone has which comes from intuition rather than from logical thinking or evidence.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
3
intuíció
C1
Usage pattern:
philosophical intuition about [a principle]
Many philosophers question whether moral intuition can serve as a reliable source of ethical knowledge.
Sok filozófus megkérdőjelezi, hogy a morális intuíció megbízható forrása lehet-e az etikai tudásnak.
The theory was built on the common intuition that knowledge requires both truth and justification.
Az elmélet arra az általános intuícióra épült, hogy a tudáshoz igazságra és igazolásra is szükség van.
In mathematics, intuition about infinity often conflicts with formal definitions.
Her argument began from the intuition that personal identity persists through radical change.
The experiment was designed to test our basic intuitions about free will.
Learner examples
Some philosophers say we should trust moral intuition.
Egyes filozófusok szerint bíznunk kell a morális intuícióban.
The teacher asked the class about their intuition of fairness.
A tanár az igazságosságról alkotott intuícióikról kérdezte az osztályt.
In this book, the writer talks about our intuition of time.
The study looks at people’s basic intuition about what is real.
He uses intuition in math before he writes the full proof.
Common mistake:
Learners may assume this technical sense is very different from everyday intuition, but academic writers often build on the same basic idea of knowing without step-by-step reasoning, just in more formal contexts.
Meaning
direct, non-inferential knowledge (philosophy)
Collocations
philosophical intuition
|mathematical intuition
|moral intuition
|intuitions about knowledge
|intuitions about justice
Synonyms
insight (In technical texts, can refer to a clear understanding of a complex idea, though it may still involve reasoning.)
|
apprehension (Formal; in philosophy, can mean the direct grasp of an object or concept.)
Antonyms
inference (Knowledge reached by reasoning from premises, the opposite of immediate, non-inferential intuition.)
|
deduction (A logical process of reaching conclusions from general rules, contrasted with intuition’s immediate grasp.)
Themes
philosophy
|science
|education
Definition
In philosophy or mathematics, a very direct way of knowing something is true, without using step-by-step thinking or experience.
In philosophy and related fields, the direct and immediate grasp of a truth, concept, or object that is not gained through reasoning, inference, or sensory experience.
Grammar
Dictionary form
intuition
IPA
GB/ˌɪntuˈɪʃən/
US/ˌɪntuˈɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
in - tu - ition (3 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ition)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: intuition
- Plural: intuition, intuitions
Word family
Forms
intuitions
noun
Core family
intuitive
adjective B2
intuitively
adverb C1
Related words
intuit
verb C1
Negative and opposite forms
unintuitive
adjective
counterintuitive
adjective
Advanced or less common
intuitiveness
noun
Expressions
female intuition
1/fˈimˌeɪl ˌɪntuˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
the idea of women's special intuition
A common idea or stereotype that women notice things and understand people in a special, intuitive way.
Examples
- She joked that it was just female intuition that told her he was hiding something.
- The movie plays on the cliché of female intuition solving the mystery.
- Some people believe in female intuition, while others see it as a stereotype.
follow your intuition
1/fˈɑloʊ jˈʊɹ ˌɪntuˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
act according to your intuition
To do what your deep feeling or sense tells you is right, not just what seems logical or what others say.
Examples
- He followed his intuition and started his own business.
- The coach told the players to follow their intuition in the final minutes of the game.
- Artists often follow their intuition instead of strict rules.
go with your intuition
1/ɡˈoʊ wˈɪθ jˈʊɹ ˌɪntuˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
informal
choose based on intuition
To pick what your feeling tells you is best, instead of thinking too much or asking many people.
Examples
- When in doubt, just go with your intuition.
- He went with his intuition and turned down the job.
- Sometimes you should stop overthinking and go with your intuition.
gut intuition
1/ɡˈʌt ˌɪntuˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
informal
strong, bodily intuitive feeling
A very strong feeling about something that you feel deep in your body, not in logical thinking.
Examples
- Her gut intuition told her not to get on the plane.
- I had a gut intuition that the project would fail, even though the numbers looked good.
- Sometimes your gut intuition is more accurate than long reports.
have good intuition
1/hˈæv ɡˈʊd ˌɪntuˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
possess strong, reliable intuition
To often make the right choices or guesses using your intuition.
Examples
- She has good intuition about people and hires the right staff.
- You clearly have good intuition when it comes to timing the market.
- Leaders with good intuition can react quickly in a crisis.
listen to your intuition
1/lˈɪsən tə jˈʊɹ ˌɪntuˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
pay attention to your intuition
To notice and think about what your inner feeling is telling you before you decide or act.
Examples
- If something seems wrong, listen to your intuition.
- She finally listened to her intuition and said no to the offer.
- Therapists often encourage clients to listen to their intuition about what they need.
mother's intuition
1/mˈʌðɚz ˌɪntuˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
a mother's strong intuition about her child
The idea that a mother can strongly feel when something is wrong or important with her child, even without clear signs.
Examples
- By mother's intuition, she knew her baby was sick before the fever started.
- He said his safety was thanks to his mother's intuition that told her to keep him home.
- Many parents talk about mother's intuition as something real and powerful.
trust your intuition
1/tɹˈʌst jˈʊɹ ˌɪntuˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
rely on your intuitive judgment
To believe your own feeling or sense about something and act according to it, even without clear reasons or facts.
Examples
- When you choose a partner, it's important to trust your intuition.
- If the deal feels wrong, trust your intuition and walk away.
- She decided to trust her intuition and move to another city.