Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

intelligentsia

Syllabification: (in·tel·li·gent·si·a)
Translate intelligentsia | into Italian
Definition of intelligentsia

noun

(usually the intelligentsia) [treated as singular or plural]
  • intellectuals or highly educated people as a group, especially when regarded as possessing culture and political influence.

Origin:

early 20th century: from Russian intelligentsiya, from Polish inteligencja, from Latin intelligentia (see intelligence)

intelligentsia in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of intelligentsia in the British & World English dictionary
  |  Cite
Oxford Dictionaries Pro

For Oxford's best resources for writers, plus thesaurus, audio, and 1.9m examples.

Shop for an Oxford dictionary

Find the perfect Oxford dictionary for you in our online shop.
SHOP NOW ►

Word of the day

cur

/ kəː /
noun
an aggressive or unkempt dog …