Definition
Intelligence comes from the Latin intelligere, 'to read between' — and that is its heart. It is less the storing of facts than the ability to connect them: to discern a pattern, to infer what is unstated, to adapt old knowledge to a new problem. In a second, quite separate sense it means gathered information, as in an intelligence agency. Both senses share the idea of meaning drawn out of raw material — understanding that no single fact contains on its own.
Examples
- Emotional intelligence — the capacity to read a room — matters as much as raw academic ability.
- The report praised her intelligence and her gift for synthesis under pressure.
- Artificial intelligence now performs tasks that once seemed to require human reasoning.
Collocations
emotional intelligence·artificial intelligence·gather intelligence·a sign of intelligence·intelligence and reasoning
Synonyms
intellect·acumen·insight·reasoning·cleverness
Antonyms
ignorance·stupidity
Word family
intelligent (adjective)·intellect (noun)·intelligible (adjective)
In TOEFL & IELTS
Two senses examiners love to separate: cognitive ability (uncountable — never 'an intelligence') and information ('military intelligence'). 'Emotional intelligence' and 'artificial intelligence' are near-essential collocations for modern essays on technology and education. The adjective is intelligent; don't confuse it with intelligible (understandable). Useful across Writing and Speaking on education, AI and the mind.