Words / A2

in-TEL-ij-uh-nt/ɪnˈtelɪdʒənt/

Intelligent means able to learn, understand, and think well: an intelligent student, highly intelligent. Clever is more everyday and can mean quick or skilful; smart is common in American English. Intelligence is the noun. Bright can describe a clever child. Do not use intelligent for “kind” or “nice” — it is about thinking, not character.

Meaning

Able to learn, understand, and think well.

Examples

• “She is an intelligent student and learns quickly.”
• “Dolphins are highly intelligent animals.”
• “That was an intelligent question.”

Good to know

an intelligent + noun. Noun: intelligence. Everyday close: clever.

Near in meaning

clever, bright

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