intellectually
gb/ˌɪntəlˈɛkt͡ʃuli/ us/ˌɪntəlˈɛkt͡ʃuli/
C1
English
~ 10000
Senses
0 senses
adverb
formal
C1
property
1
in terms of intelligence or thought
In a way that is about the mind, learning, or how smart someone is.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is intellectually [adjective]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"intellectual challenging"* instead of *"intellectually challenging"*. Use the adverb *intellectually* before an adjective (e.g., *intellectually interesting*), and the adjective *intellectual* before a noun (e.g., *intellectual challenge*). Another common error is using *intelligent* instead of *intellectually* (e.g., say *"He is intellectually curious"*, not *"He is intelligent curious"*).
Synonyms
mentally (Broader and more general; can refer to emotional or psychological states, not only intelligence and learning.)
|
cognitively (More technical and scientific; often used in psychology rather than everyday speech.)
Antonyms
physically (Focuses on the body and movement, not on the mind or intelligence.)
Collocations
intellectually curious
|intellectually stimulating
|intellectually challenging
|intellectually gifted
|intellectually engaging
|intellectually demanding
Themes
education
|thinking
|personality
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She finds it intellectually stimulating to discuss philosophy late into the night.
- The course is intellectually demanding, but the students seem to enjoy the challenge.
- He feels intellectually isolated at work because no one shares his academic interests.
- The book is written for readers who want to be intellectually engaged, not just entertained.
- They are intellectually compatible, sharing similar tastes in books, art, and politics.
Learner examples
- The class is hard but very interesting intellectually.
- He wants a job that is intellectually exciting for him.
- She feels bored because the work is not intellectually difficult.
- My friends are fun, but I also need people who push me intellectually.
- The movie was not very deep intellectually, but it was fun to watch.
adverb
formal
C1
property
2
from a purely rational viewpoint
Used to say you know or accept something with your mind, even if your feelings are different.
Usage pattern:
Intellectually, [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this sentence-adverb use with the more general sense of *intellectually* and place it in the middle of the sentence (e.g., *"I know intellectually that..."*). This is possible but sounds less natural in this specific contrast-with-emotions meaning. The most typical pattern is *"Intellectually, [clause], but emotionally, [clause]."*
Synonyms
rationally (Stresses logical thinking and reason; slightly more common than *intellectually* when contrasting with emotion.)
|
in my head (Informal phrase with the same idea of mental understanding, but much less formal and more conversational.)
Antonyms
emotionally (Focuses on feelings rather than reason; often used in contrast with *intellectually* in this sense.)
Collocations
Intellectually, I know
|Intellectually, we understand
|intellectually accept
|intellectually agree
|intellectually recognize
Themes
thinking
|emotions
|philosophy
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Intellectually, I know the plane is safe, but I still feel afraid of flying.
- She can intellectually accept the decision, even though it hurts her emotionally.
- Intellectually, we understand that change is necessary, but we resist it in practice.
- He agrees intellectually with the theory, but he has doubts about how it works in real life.
- Intellectually, they recognize their privilege, yet they struggle to change their habits.
Learner examples
- Intellectually, I know this exam is not very important.
- Intellectually, she understands that smoking is bad, but she keeps doing it.
- He can intellectually accept the result, but he still feels angry.
- Intellectually, we know that everyone makes mistakes.
- Intellectually, they see that the plan is good, but they are still nervous.
Grammar
Dictionary form
intellectually
IPA
GB/ˌɪntəlˈɛkt͡ʃuli/
US/ˌɪntəlˈɛkt͡ʃuli/
Syllables & stress
in - tel - lec - tu - ally (5 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (lec)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: intellectually
- Plural: intellectuallies
Word family
Forms
intellectuallies
noun
Core family
intellect
noun B2
intellectual
adjective B2
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
unintelligent
adjective
unintelligently
adverb
Advanced or less common
intellectualism
noun
intellectualize
verb
Expressions
intellectually speaking
1/ˌɪntəlˈɛkt͡ʃuli spˈikɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
from a rational, mental standpoint
Used before a statement to show that you are talking only about ideas and reason, not about feelings or practical life.
Examples
- Intellectually speaking, the argument is sound, but it ignores people’s real experiences.
- Intellectually speaking, learning a new language is always a good investment of time.
- Intellectually speaking, I agree with you, but emotionally I feel unsure.