intuition
C1Neutral to formal. Common in academic, philosophical, and professional contexts; also used in everyday conversation to describe gut feelings.
Definition
Meaning
The ability to understand or know something immediately, without conscious reasoning.
An immediate feeling or idea that guides understanding or action, often perceived as originating from subconscious processes or instinct.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often distinguished from analytical, logical, or evidence-based reasoning. Implies a non-linear, holistic grasp of a situation or truth. In philosophy, it contrasts with deduction and induction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. Both varieties use the term similarly across registers.
Connotations
Neutral in both. May carry a slight connotation of wisdom or spiritual insight in some contexts, but generally refers to a practical cognitive faculty.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties. Slightly more common in academic/philosophical texts in the UK, but widely used in business and psychology contexts in the US.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N + to-INF (intuition to know)N + that-CL (intuition that something is wrong)PREP + N (by intuition, on intuition)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A woman's intuition”
- “Go with your gut (related concept)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe decision-making based on experience and instinct rather than just data: 'Her business intuition led her to invest early.'
Academic
Discussed in philosophy, psychology, and cognitive science as a mode of knowledge acquisition distinct from rational analysis.
Everyday
Refers to a personal feeling about a person or situation: 'I had a strong intuition that I shouldn't take that job.'
Technical
In mathematics and philosophy, refers to direct, self-evident knowledge of a proposition (e.g., Kantian 'intuition').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Related: intuit) She can intuit the mood of a room instantly.
- (Uncommon as verb) To intuition is not standard.
American English
- (Related: intuit) He intuited that the deal was about to fall apart.
- (Uncommon as verb) 'Intuition' is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- She intuitively knew the answer.
- He acted intuitively, without planning.
American English
- They intuitively avoided the risky path.
- The design was intuitively user-friendly.
adjective
British English
- Her intuitive grasp of the problem saved us hours of work.
- He made an intuitive leap.
American English
- She has an intuitive understanding of market trends.
- The software's interface is highly intuitive.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My intuition told me to say yes.
- She has good intuition about people.
- I trusted my intuition and didn't get on the train.
- His business intuition is often correct.
- Against all logic, her intuition proved to be accurate.
- The artist works more from intuition than from a detailed plan.
- The philosopher argued that moral truths are grasped through rational intuition, not emotion.
- Her managerial intuition enabled her to foresee the organisational challenges of the merger.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'INner TUITION' – it's like an inner teacher that gives you the answers without you having to study for the test.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTUITION IS AN INNER VOICE / A GUIDE / A SIXTH SENSE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not the same as 'интуиция' in its very broad Russian usage (which can sometimes mean 'hint' or 'inkling' in a casual sense). English 'intuition' is more specifically about immediate understanding without conscious reasoning. The Russian borrowing is a false friend in terms of stylistic range.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'intuition' to mean 'intention' (a spelling/pronunciation confusion). Incorrect: 'My intuition is to help.' (if meaning 'plan' or 'aim').
- Overusing it for simple guesses. A guess lacks the subconscious, knowledgeable basis of an intuition.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST example of using intuition?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A guess is a random estimate with little basis. Intuition is a subconscious synthesis of experience and patterns, giving it a stronger, often reliable foundation.
Yes, many experts believe intuition is honed through experience, deep observation, and reflection, allowing the subconscious mind to recognise patterns faster.
Instinct is a biologically hardwired, automatic response (e.g., fear of falling). Intuition is a cognitive process that draws on learned patterns and experiences to provide insight.
It is primarily uncountable (e.g., 'She has great intuition'). It can be countable when referring to specific instances or types (e.g., 'Philosophical intuitions can vary').
Collections
Part of a collection
Abstract Thinking
B2 · 49 words · Words for ideas, reasoning and intellectual concepts.