Skip to content

intelectual

intellectual

adjective noun een-teh-lek-TWAHL Less Common
Mind & Emotions Mental States

Origin: From Latin intellectualis, of understanding.

Usage Note

Intelectual as an adjective means 'of the intellect' (trabajo intelectual, 'intellectual work'). As a noun (m/f, with common gender: el/la intelectual) it means a public intellectual. The word is sometimes used slightly ironically in colloquial speech to suggest someone is overly theoretical. The related noun intelectualidad (f) means 'intelligentsia'.

Examples

"Es una persona muy intelectual y curiosa."

Natural Translation

She is a very intellectual and curious person.

Free starter pack

Building your Spanish vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Spanish words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Explore Spanish by topic