intelligentsia

[in-tel-i-jent-see-uh, -gent-]

plural noun

1. intellectuals considered as a group or class, especially as a cultural, social, or political elite.

intelligentsia

/ ɪnˌtɛlɪˈdʒɛntsɪə /

noun

1. the educated or intellectual people in a society or community

intelligentsia

1. Intellectuals who form an artistic, social, or political vanguard or elite.

Word History and Origins

Origin of intelligentsia¹

1905–10; < Russian intelligéntsia < Latin intelligentia intelligence

Word History and Origins

Origin of intelligentsia¹

C20: from Russian intelligentsiya, from Latin intellegentia _intelligence

Example Sentences

He attacked the “intelligentsia” of the Democratic Party for not supporting his father, former President Joe Biden, when he ran for reelection.

From Salon

The right-wing intelligentsia has seemed to see this as a kind of respectable fascism — without all the 20th century unpleasantness with which the term is associated.

From Salon

She said her career as a painter, printmaker, collage and stained-glass artist and teacher meant she mixed with the "intelligentsia of Swansea".

From BBC

His bold and at times brash style, rejecting the more staid political rhetoric of Nandi-Ndaitwah, has seen him win support among business people and the growing urban intelligentsia.

From BBC

In the succession of scapegoats chosen by the followers of this tradition of Know-Nothingism, the intelligentsia have at last in our time found a place.

From Salon

Related Words

• circle 
• club 
• company 
• degree 
• family 
• grade 
• league 
• place 
• position