Intelligence
n.capable, thoughtfulprofessional
Meaning 1
The capacity to learn, reason, understand, and use knowledge effectively.
Reach for it when praising mental capability while specifying the kind when possible
Her practical intelligence helped the team solve the loading problem safely.
Choose between these
5- everyday
cleverness
quick mental ability solves an immediate problem
not when Cleverness can be shallow or sly and does not imply broad understanding.
- warm
sound judgment shaped by knowledge and values matters
not when Wisdom depends on judgment, not just learning or reasoning ability.
- professional
sharp practical judgment in a field deserves praise
not when Acumen is specialized and says less about learning capacity.
- professional
natural potential for a particular skill is being assessed
not when Aptitude is prospective and narrower than demonstrated intelligence.
- formal
intellect
the power of reasoning and abstract thought is central
not when Intellect is narrower and often contrasts with emotion or instinct.
Meaning 2
Information gathered and analyzed to guide decisions, especially about risks or competitors.
Reach for it when using the institutional sense for assessed information
Fresh intelligence about the road conditions changed the convoy's route.
Choose between these
3- everyday
information
unprocessed facts are all that is meant
not when Information becomes intelligence only after relevance and meaning are assessed.
- professional
the material reveals what matters beneath the facts
not when Insight can arise personally without systematic intelligence gathering.
- formal
reconnaissance
direct observation gathers strategic facts
not when Reconnaissance is one collection method, not the resulting intelligence.
Said against
3- stupidity
- ignorance
- misinformation
It naturally appears in
3- emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence helped the supervisor hear concern beneath the angry wording.
- practical intelligence
Practical intelligence mattered more than speed during the field repair.
- gather intelligence
The expedition will gather intelligence about snow conditions before moving equipment.
Where this comes from
- Merriam-Webster, noun sense 1a: the ability to learn or understand or deal with new situations opens in a new tab for meaning 1 · retrieved 2026-07-26
- Merriam-Webster, noun sense 2: information concerning an enemy or possible enemy opens in a new tab for meaning 2 · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.