intellectual

/ˌɪntəlˈɛkt‍ʃuːə‍l/

/ˌɪnəˈɫɛktʃuəɫ/, /ˌɪntəˈɫɛktʃuəɫ/

[noun] [adjective]

Intellectual

[NOUN]

a person who uses the mind creatively

synonyms : intellect

intellectual

[ADJECTIVE]

relating to or involving the use of the intellect or the capacity for reasoning and understanding

antonyms : nonintellectual

of or associated with or requiring the use of the mind

synonyms : noetic

rational

involving intelligence rather than emotions or instinct

synonyms : cerebral

antonyms : emotional

Examples

1. The crock of gold can lure a teenager into an intellectual maze that offers some significant philosophical conclusions.

2. Intelligence and academic achievement run in Tom's family, with generations of scholars and intellectuals.

3. She is not an intellectual, but is quick on the uptake.

4. The book club members discussed how they choose the books they read, agreeing that choosing your author as you choose your friends was important - reading was not just an intellectual exercise, but also a personal and emotional one.