intelligence
gb/ɪntˈɛlɪd͡ʒəns/ us/ɪntˈɛlɪd͡ʒəns/
B1
English
~ 2600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
property
1
Ability to think and learn
The ability to learn, understand, and use knowledge to solve problems.
Usage pattern:
[someone's] intelligence
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'intelligence' with 'information', but 'intelligence' in this sense means mental ability, not data.
Synonyms
intellect (Refers more specifically to the power of reasoning and understanding rather than overall mental ability.)
Antonyms
stupidity (Refers to a lack of intelligence or poor mental ability.)
Collocations
high intelligence
|measure intelligence
|intelligence test
|artificial intelligence
|emotional intelligence
Themes
psychology
|education
|human behavior
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her intelligence was obvious from a young age.
- The job requires a high level of intelligence.
- Scientists are studying animal intelligence.
- Emotional intelligence is important for teamwork.
Learner examples
- He has high intelligence.
- She shows great intelligence in class.
- Dogs have some intelligence.
- My brother has emotional intelligence.
Noun
B2
entity
2
Secret or strategic information
Secret or special information collected to help make plans or decisions, often about enemies or competitors.
Usage pattern:
gather/collect [intelligence] on [something]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse this meaning with mental ability; here it refers to collected information, not someone's brainpower.
Synonyms
information (A broader term; may not imply secrecy or strategic use like 'intelligence' does.)
Antonyms
misinformation (False or inaccurate information, often spread deliberately.)
Collocations
gather intelligence
|military intelligence
|intelligence agency
|intelligence report
Themes
military
|security
|politics
|business
Examples
- The army gathered intelligence on enemy positions.
- The company hired experts to collect market intelligence.
- Intelligence reports warned of possible attacks.
Learner examples
- The police got intelligence about the crime.
- We need intelligence on our competitors.
- The army uses drones to get intelligence.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
3
Artificial intelligence in machines
The ability of computers or robots to do things that normally need human thinking.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse AI with general computing; AI refers specifically to human-like thinking in machines.
Synonyms
AI (Common abbreviation for artificial intelligence; used interchangeably in most contexts.)
Antonyms
manual processing (Tasks performed entirely by humans without machine assistance.)
Collocations
artificial intelligence
|machine intelligence
|AI technology
Themes
technology
|computing
|science
Examples
- Artificial intelligence is transforming many industries.
- Machine intelligence can recognize faces and voices.
- Researchers are working on improving artificial intelligence algorithms.
Learner examples
- Artificial intelligence is in my phone.
- AI can play chess well.
- Robots use artificial intelligence.
Grammar
Dictionary form
intelligence
IPA
GB/ɪntˈɛlɪd͡ʒəns/
US/ɪntˈɛlɪd͡ʒəns/
Syllables & stress
in - tel - li - gence (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tel)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: intelligence
- Plural: intelligence
Word family
Core family
intelligent
adjective B1
intelligently
adverb
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
unintelligent
adjective
Advanced or less common
Expressions
military intelligence
1/mˈɪlɪtˌɛɹi ɪntˈɛlɪd͡ʒəns/
fixed phrase
Information about enemy forces
Information about the plans and actions of an enemy army.
Examples
- Military intelligence suggested an attack was coming.
- He worked in military intelligence for over a decade.
emotional intelligence
1/ɪmˈoʊʃənəl ɪntˈɛlɪd͡ʒəns/
fixed phrase
Skill in handling emotions well
The skill of understanding your feelings and other people's feelings, and using this skill well.
Examples
- Good leaders often have high emotional intelligence.
- Emotional intelligence helps you work better with others.
- Emotional intelligence is important in teamwork.
artificial intelligence
1/ˌɑɹtəfˈɪʃəl ɪntˈɛlɪd͡ʒəns/
fixed phrase
technical
Human-like thinking by machines
The ability of computers or robots to think and learn like humans.
Examples
- Artificial intelligence is used in self-driving cars.
- Artificial intelligence is changing the way we work.
- She is studying artificial intelligence at university.
- Many apps now use artificial intelligence to improve user experience.
artificial intelligence
2/ˌɑɹtəfˈɪʃəl ɪntˈɛlɪd͡ʒəns/
fixed phrase
machine ability to act intelligently
The ability of a computer or machine to do things like learn, solve problems, and make decisions, similar to a human mind.
Examples
- Artificial intelligence helps websites show you products you might like.
- Many people worry about how artificial intelligence will change jobs in the future.