How to pronounce intellect
Say it like IN-tuh-lekt. Intellect has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce intellect. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- IN
- tuh
- lekt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Intellect pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- INSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lektGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of intellect
American and British speakers say intellect in essentially the same way: /ˈɪntəˌlɛkt/ in the US and /ˈɪntəlɛkt/ in the UK.
British respelling: IN-tuh-lekt.
What does intellect mean?
- The faculty of thinking, judging, abstract reasoning, and conceptual understanding; the cognitive faculty.“Intellect is one of man's greatest powers.”
- The capacity of that faculty (in a particular person).“They were chosen because of their outstanding intellect.”
- A person who has that faculty to a great degree.“Some of the world's leading intellects were meeting there.”
Where does intellect come from?
Borrowed from Late Latin intellēctus (“understanding, intellect”), from Latin intellegō (“understand; reason”), from inter (“between, among”) + legō (“read”), with connotation of bind.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying intellect
How do you pronounce intellect?
Say IN-tuh-lekt. The American pronunciation is /ˈɪntəˌlɛkt/. In British English it is /ˈɪntəlɛkt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in intellect?
Intellect has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IN). Broken into parts: IN · tuh · lekt.
Do Americans and Brits say intellect the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɪntəˌlɛkt/ and the British form is /ˈɪntəlɛkt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.