intuition

noun

in·​tu·​i·​tion ˌin-tü-ˈi-shən How to pronounce intuition (audio)
-tyü-
Synonyms of intuition
1
a
: the power or faculty of attaining to direct knowledge or cognition without evident rational thought and inference
b
: immediate apprehension or cognition
c
: knowledge or conviction gained by intuition
2
: quick and ready insight
intuitional
ˌin-tü-ˈi-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce intuition (audio)
-tyü-
adjective

Examples of intuition in a Sentence

Intuition was telling her that something was very wrong. “How did you know I would drop by?” “Oh, I don't know. It must have been intuition.”
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The goal of agility is to create a disciplined environment where intuition can be tested, refined and strengthened through evidence. — Kumar Rupesh, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 One of the joys of science is discovering that nature often challenges our intuition. — K. R. Prathyusha, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026 The privileging of parental intuition over medical orthodoxy has become the emotional core of the MAHA coalition. — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Each of those pieces of her public-facing persona seemed to naturally grow from a vast discography where Parton established herself as hardscrabble, emotionally forthright and full of intuition. — Ethan Beck, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intuition

Word History

Etymology

Middle English intuycyon, from Late Latin intuition-, intuitio act of contemplating, from Latin intuēri to look at, contemplate, from in- + tuēri to look at

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of intuition was circa 1600

Rhymes for intuition

See All Rhymes for intuition

Browse Nearby Words

intuitable
intuition
intuitional
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Intuition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intuition. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

intuition

noun
in·​tu·​ition
ˌin-t(y)u̇-ˈish-ən
1
: the power of knowing immediately and without conscious reasoning
2
: something known or understood at once
intuitional
-ˈish-nəl, 
-ən-ᵊl
adjective

Medical Definition

intuition

noun
in·​tu·​ition ˌin-t(y)u̇-ˈish-ən How to pronounce intuition (audio)
1
: immediate apprehension or cognition without reasoning or inferring
2
: knowledge or conviction gained by intuition
3
: the power or faculty of gaining direct knowledge or cognition without evident rational thought and inference
intuit
in-ˈt(y)ü-ət How to pronounce intuition (audio)
transitive verb
intuitional
ˌin-t(y)u̇-ˈish-nəl, -ən-ᵊl How to pronounce intuition (audio)
adjective
intuitive
in-ˈt(y)ü-ət-iv How to pronounce intuition (audio)
adjective
intuitively adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on intuition

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for intuition

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about intuition

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