Intelligence
/ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒəns/
Definitions
3 meaningsThe capacity for learning, reasoning, understanding, and similar forms of mental activity; aptitude in grasping truths, relationships, facts, meanings, etc.
/ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒəns/
The ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills.
Her high intelligence was evident in her quick grasp of complex concepts.
💡 Simply: It's like your brain's superpower! It's how well you can learn, solve problems, and figure things out. Like, if you can quickly understand a new game rule, that shows your intelligence!
👶 For kids: Being smart! It's like when you know a lot of things and can figure things out.
More Examples
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing many industries.
The intelligence of dolphins is remarkable.
How It's Used
"The psychologist assessed the child's intelligence quotient."
"Schools strive to develop students' intelligence and critical thinking skills."
Information about an enemy or potential enemy or about any field of activity; information that is gathered, especially by spies, about the activities of foreign governments, organizations, or people.
/ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒəns/
Secret information about an enemy or potential enemy.
The intelligence agency was tasked with gathering information on foreign threats.
💡 Simply: This is like the secret information that spies or detectives collect to help them understand what's going on. For example, they might gather information about someone's plans to stop them.
👶 For kids: Secret spy info!
More Examples
The government received a significant amount of intelligence leading up to the crisis.
Analyzing intelligence is crucial for national security.
How It's Used
"Military intelligence gathered valuable data about the enemy's movements."
"The government relied on intelligence reports to make informed decisions."
A group of people who collect information about foreign governments, organizations, or people.
/ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒəns/
People, especially military or government personnel, engaged in the collection and analysis of secret information
The intelligence operatives were deployed to gather critical information.
💡 Simply: This is the group of people, such as spies and analysts, that gathers and analyzes information.
👶 For kids: The people who collect secret information.
More Examples
The government invested heavily in its intelligence capabilities.
Intelligence agencies play a vital role in national security.
How It's Used
"The intelligence team worked tirelessly to decode the intercepted messages."
"The intelligence community is constantly monitoring global threats."
Synonyms
Brilliance
Cognition
Intellect
Data
Espionage
Information
Intel
Agents
Analysts
Informants
Idioms & expressions
artificial intelligence (AI)
The theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages.
"Artificial intelligence is rapidly advancing and impacting many aspects of our lives."
military intelligence
Information collected about an enemy or a potential enemy.
"Military intelligence played a crucial role in the successful operation."
street smarts
The skills and knowledge necessary to survive in a difficult or dangerous environment.
"He had street smarts, which helped him navigate the tough city environment."
From Middle English intelligen(c)e, from Old French intelligence, from Latin intelligentia (“understanding, knowledge”), from intelligere (“to understand”), from inter (“between”) + legere (“to choose, pick out, read”).
The word 'intelligence' has been used since the 14th century to describe mental capacity. Its application to secret information gathering is a later development.
Memory tip
Think of 'in-tell-igence' – the ability to 'tell' and understand things.