intuitive
in-TOO-ih-tiv
/ɪnˈtjuːɪtɪv/
Using or based on what one feels to be true even without conscious reasoning; instinctive.
Describes immediate understanding without deliberate steps of conscious analysis.
The story behind the word. Latin 'intueri' meant to look directly at something with focused attention. Over time, philosophers used it to describe mental vision—seeing a truth directly in your mind's eye without needing to climb a ladder of logical steps.
Word relationships
- instinctive: Emphasizes biological or automatic reflexes over cognitive pattern recognition.
- visceral: Relates to intense deep emotional or bodily feelings rather than mental insight.
- analytical: Relies on deliberate, step-by-step breakdown and logical reasoning.
- counterintuitive: Contrary to what common sense or gut feeling would suggest.
Commonly confused with
- counterintuitive: Intuitive agrees with immediate mental expectation; counterintuitive goes against it.
Word family
- intuition (noun): The ability to understand something instinctively.
- intuitively (adverb): By means of intuition.
Collocations
- intuitive grasp
- intuitive leap
- intuitive design
- highly intuitive
Example sentences
- "The application's interface is so intuitive that users can navigate complex features without reading the manual." User Experience Design
- "Grandmasters often make brilliant chess moves based on an intuitive sense of position developed over decades." Decision Making
Memory hook
IN-TUITION = like having an INner TUTOR guiding your gut immediately. Seeing the truth instantly inside your mind.
When not to use
Do not use for conclusions reached through step-by-step mathematical calculation or formal logic.
Fun facts
- 'Tutor' and 'tuition' come from the same Latin 'tueri', because a tutor 'guards' and 'looks after' students.
Explore more words
intuition, straightforward, lucid, perceptive, transparent, unobtrusive
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