intelligence
Pluralintelligences (some meanings)
- 1The ability to learn, understand things, and think well.
Like a toolbox in your mind: the more tools you have, the more problems you can fix.
Her intelligence helped her figure out the puzzle in seconds.
Different animals show different kinds of intelligence.
UsageSay a person of great intelligence.
Similarintellect, cleverness, brainpower, wit
Oppositestupidity
- 2Secret information about an enemy or their plans.
Like getting a peek at the other team's playbook before the game.
Spies gathered intelligence about the enemy's plans.
The general acted on new intelligence from the field.
UsageSay gather intelligence about the enemy.
Similarinformation (entry), data
- 3A government department that collects secret information about enemies.
Like a team of detectives working for the government.
She spent her career working in military intelligence.
Army intelligence tracked the enemy's ships across the bay.
UsageSay she works in intelligence.
- 4A being or thing that can think and understand.
Like a mind that could live inside a person, an animal, or even a machine.
Some people wonder if a computer could ever become a true intelligence.
The story imagined an alien intelligence visiting Earth.
UsageSay an alien intelligence.
Note
Less common meaning
- 5Friendly contact or the sharing of news between people.
Similarcorrespondence, communication, contact, rapport
Note
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of intelligence apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
It comes from Latin intelligentia, probably made from words meaning 'between' and 'to choose or read'. It reached English through Old French.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
- Intelligence ultimately comes from Latin intelligentia. en.wiktionary.org
- The word reached English through Old French. en.wiktionary.org