Pronunciation: [ˌɪntəlˈɛkt͡ʃuːə͡l] (IPA) 
The word "intellectual" is spelled with 5 syllables: /ˌɪn.təlˈek.tʃu.əl/ . The "in" at the beginning is spelled with a short "i" sound, the "tel" is spelled with a "t" and a "e" sound, the "lec" is spelled with a "l" and a "e" sound, the "tu" is spelled with a short "u" sound, and the "al" at the end is spelled with an "a" and an "l" sound. This word describes someone who is highly educated and analytical.
Intellectual, as a noun, refers to a person who actively engages in reasoning and exercising mental faculties to pursue knowledge, ideas, and understanding. They are characterized by their keen interest in intellectual pursuits, critical thinking, and the exploration of abstract concepts and theories. Intellectuals are known for their capacity to think critically, analyze information, and form well-founded opinions.
As an adjective, "intellectual" describes activities, work, or discussions that engage the mind, intelligence, or intellectual capacity. It signifies ideas, pursuits, or concepts that require mental effort, focus, and intellectual rigour. Intellectual endeavors often involve a deeper exploration of subjects such as philosophy, science, arts, literature, or social sciences.
Intellectuals are often associated with academia, as they often play prominent roles in intellectual and cultural discourse. However, the intellectual sphere is not limited to the academic realm; intellectuals can be found in various fields and professions where they contribute to the generation and dissemination of knowledge.
Furthermore, being an intellectual is not solely based on one's education or academic background. It is often characterized by curiosity, a thirst for knowledge, and the desire to critically reflect upon and challenge existing ideas and beliefs. Intellectuals have an innate ability to reason, synthesize information, and contribute to the advancement of society's understanding and development.
Pert. to the intellect or mind; mental; having the power of understanding.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "intellectual" can be traced back to the Latin word "intellectus", which is the past participle of the verb "intelligere". "Intelligere" is composed of two Latin words: "inter", meaning "between", and "legere", meaning "to choose" or "to gather". Thus, "intellectus" originally referred to the act of understanding or comprehending by discerning or choosing between different pieces of information. Over time, the term evolved in meaning to refer to individuals who are particularly inclined towards mental pursuits, critical thinking, and knowledge acquisition.
