Intuition

Definition

Intuition is a noun that refers to the ability to understand or know something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning; it can also denote a thing that one knows instinctively without explicit evidence or rational thought.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA: /ˌɪn.tuːˈɪʃ.ən/
• Respelling: in-TOO-ish-uhn

British English

• IPA: /ˌɪn.tjuːˈɪʃ.ən/
• Respelling: in-TEW-ish-uhn

Etymology

Early 17th century: from Latin intiūtio(n-) “perception, consideration,” from intueri “to look at, contemplate,” from in- “on” + tuērī “to look, watch.”

Derivatives

• intuitive (adjective)
• intuitively (adverb)
• intuitionism (noun)
• intuitionist (noun)
• intuit (verb)

Synonyms

• instinct
• hunch
• gut feeling
• insight
• sixth sense

Antonyms

• reason
• logic
• deliberation
• rationality

Usage

The noun "intuition" is used in psychological, everyday, and philosophical contexts to refer to immediate understanding without conscious analysis. For example, "Her intuition told her to trust his advice," or "He followed his intuition and took the back road."

Related Terms

• Instinct: An innate, typically fixed pattern of behavior in animals in response to certain stimuli.
• Perception: The process of becoming aware of something through the senses.
• Insight: A deep understanding of a person or thing.
• Subconscious: The part of the mind not fully aware but which influences actions and feelings.
• Sensibility: The capacity to respond to emotional or aesthetic influences.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• The ability to understand something instinctively, without conscious reasoning – immediate cognition or understanding not based on explicit evidence.
  • Example: "She had an intuition that he was not telling the truth."
• A thing that one knows or considers likely from instinctive feeling – a hunch or gut feeling about a situation.
  • Example: "His intuition warned him to check the brakes before the drive."
• Psychology: a cognitive process operating below the level of conscious awareness – rapid, automatic judgments and decisions.
  • Example: "Experts often rely on intuition developed through years of experience."