Intelligentsia
noun
The most educated people in a society, especially those who are involved in intellectual activities such as art, science, and politics.
The intelligentsia of the country were largely critical of the government's policies.
Often appears as...
- elite intelligentsia
- radical intelligentsia
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
The most educated people in a society, especially those who are involved in intellectual activities such as art, science, and politics.
The intelligentsia of the country were largely critical of the government's policies.
Often appears as...
- elite intelligentsia
- radical intelligentsia
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Nuance
In some regions, 'intelligentsia' may imply a social class that's distinct from the broader population due to their intellectual pursuits.
The intelligentsia were often isolated from the concerns of the common worker.
Pro Tip 2/3Political Associations
The term is sometimes used critically to suggest the group has too much influence or is detached from everyday concerns.
Politicians claimed the intelligentsia ignored the real-world problems.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Context
In history, particularly in Russia, 'intelligentsia' described a status group with specific political roles.
The Russian intelligentsia debated fervently before the revolution.
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Nuance
In some regions, 'intelligentsia' may imply a social class that's distinct from the broader population due to their intellectual pursuits.
The intelligentsia were often isolated from the concerns of the common worker.
Pro Tip 2/3Political Associations
The term is sometimes used critically to suggest the group has too much influence or is detached from everyday concerns.
Politicians claimed the intelligentsia ignored the real-world problems.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Context
In history, particularly in Russia, 'intelligentsia' described a status group with specific political roles.
The Russian intelligentsia debated fervently before the revolution.
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Nuance
In some regions, 'intelligentsia' may imply a social class that's distinct from the broader population due to their intellectual pursuits.
The intelligentsia were often isolated from the concerns of the common worker.
Pro Tip 2/3Political Associations
The term is sometimes used critically to suggest the group has too much influence or is detached from everyday concerns.
Politicians claimed the intelligentsia ignored the real-world problems.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Context
In history, particularly in Russia, 'intelligentsia' described a status group with specific political roles.
The Russian intelligentsia debated fervently before the revolution.
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Video examples
Don't insist on English!...
Giants upon whose shoulders today's intelligentsia stand did not have to have English they didn't know how to pass an English test case in point Einstein he by the way was considered remedial at school because he was in fact dyslexic but fortunately for the world he did not
Video examples
Militant atheism PIPE...
that no candidate for popular election dare affirm it in public. If I'm right, this means that high office in the greatest country in the world is barred to the very people best qualified to hold it -- the intelligentsia --
Video examples
Training Critical...
walk the talk the pan-african revolutionary and agronomist train ignore agronomist one said that the african intelligentsia must commit
Video examples
Don't insist on English!...
Giants upon whose shoulders today's intelligentsia stand did not have to have English they didn't know how to pass an English test case in point Einstein he by the way was considered remedial at school because he was in fact dyslexic but fortunately for the world he did not
Video examples
Militant atheism PIPE...
that no candidate for popular election dare affirm it in public. If I'm right, this means that high office in the greatest country in the world is barred to the very people best qualified to hold it -- the intelligentsia --
Video examples
Training Critical...
walk the talk the pan-african revolutionary and agronomist train ignore agronomist one said that the african intelligentsia must commit
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Lech Walesa
Polish Politician
The sole and basic source of our strength is the solidarity of workers, peasants and the intelligentsia, the solidarity of the nation, the solidarity of people who seek to live in dignity, truth, and in harmony with their conscience.
Quote examples
Asma Jahangir
Pakistani Activist
We are so resilient as a people. I have so much respect for their dignity and courage. I hope the world sees this side of Pakistan, one where professionals want a democracy. The spirit of our intelligentsia cannot be broken.
Quote examples
Avigdor Lieberman
Israeli Politician
Although my stance on responsible citizenship made sense to many Israelis, the intelligentsia could not, as you say in English, get their heads around it. 'Racist' and 'fascist' were the knee-jerk reactions.
Quote examples
Robert Eggers
American Director
If you're a part of this urban intelligentsia, you're not around animals all the time the way people were in the past. So animals become a part of the folklore.
Quote examples
Louis MacNeice
British Poet
Before I joined the BBC I was, like most of the intelligentsia, prejudiced not only against that institution but against broadcasting in general.
Quote examples
Ron Silver
American Actor
In Europe, people in the arts are considered part of the intelligentsia; they are considered part of the elite.
Quote examples
Alison Bechdel
American Cartoonist
My mother is, my father certainly was. They were kind of the local intelligentsia in the town where I grew up.
Quote examples
Steve Erickson
American Novelist
When the Doors became huge, what nascent rock intelligentsia existed at the time adored them.
Quote examples
Ralph Nader
American Lawyer
The liberal intelligentsia has allowed its party to become a captive of corporate interests.
Quote examples
Stanley Baldwin
English Statesman
The intelligent are to the intelligentsia what a gentleman is to a gent.
Quote examples
Lech Walesa
Polish Politician
The sole and basic source of our strength is the solidarity of workers, peasants and the intelligentsia, the solidarity of the nation, the solidarity of people who seek to live in dignity, truth, and in harmony with their conscience.
Quote examples
Asma Jahangir
Pakistani Activist
We are so resilient as a people. I have so much respect for their dignity and courage. I hope the world sees this side of Pakistan, one where professionals want a democracy. The spirit of our intelligentsia cannot be broken.
Quote examples
Avigdor Lieberman
Israeli Politician
Although my stance on responsible citizenship made sense to many Israelis, the intelligentsia could not, as you say in English, get their heads around it. 'Racist' and 'fascist' were the knee-jerk reactions.
Quote examples
Robert Eggers
American Director
If you're a part of this urban intelligentsia, you're not around animals all the time the way people were in the past. So animals become a part of the folklore.
Quote examples
Louis MacNeice
British Poet
Before I joined the BBC I was, like most of the intelligentsia, prejudiced not only against that institution but against broadcasting in general.
Quote examples
Ron Silver
American Actor
In Europe, people in the arts are considered part of the intelligentsia; they are considered part of the elite.
Quote examples
Alison Bechdel
American Cartoonist
My mother is, my father certainly was. They were kind of the local intelligentsia in the town where I grew up.
Quote examples
Steve Erickson
American Novelist
When the Doors became huge, what nascent rock intelligentsia existed at the time adored them.
Quote examples
Ralph Nader
American Lawyer
The liberal intelligentsia has allowed its party to become a captive of corporate interests.
Quote examples
Stanley Baldwin
English Statesman
The intelligent are to the intelligentsia what a gentleman is to a gent.
Example 1 of 10
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